How to Write a Compelling Employment Ad That Attracts the Right People for Your Cleaning Company
I used to think it was easy to write an employment ad.
“Openings for cleaners. FT, 9 - 4 PM, M-F. Must have transportation, able to lift 20 lbs. Call 555-5555 to apply.”
Wow, sounds like a great job, doesn't it? And believe it or not, back in the 80's we actually found some good people with that ad. But times changed and that type of ad didn't work well for very long. And since the downturn in the economy in 2008, there has been a fierce competition among employers of all types. Even residential cleaning companies need to spend more time writing compelling employment ads. So how do you make your employment ad stand out from the rest in order to attract the best candidates?
Here is an example of an employment ad that was run on Craig's List by a residential cleaning company:
|
Life is too short to be stuck behind a desk all day! Join our fun team of Eco-Friendly Housecleaners! Our Mission is to take care of our clients, their families and the planet.
Do you want to make a difference every day? We are looking for responsible, friendly people with integrity.??Do you notice things other people miss and take it upon yourself to get them done? ?We are looking for detail-oriented people who take initiative.
Do you want to have a voice in the company that you work for? We are looking for people with excellent customer service and communication skills.
Our Requirements: * Able to lift 20 lbs or more; be able to stand, bend and kneel to perform cleaning duties * Able to pass a criminal background check and drug test * Able to speak and write in English?* Valid driver's license * Clean driving record * Reliable, working vehicle * Valid auto insurance * Cell phone
About Us: We are a local, independent residential cleaning company looking to grow our team of cleaning technicians. We make this job fun by taking pride in the work we do, creating community, using THE latest and greatest Green Cleaning technology, and celebrating our achievements. We are looking for positive people who want to make a difference! Because we care about innovating, we only hire candidates who want their voices to be heard and want to create the best possible job for themselves. This job can provide lasting satisfaction, great exercise, new skills and personal responsibility. It's also a great way to make a difference every single day. We want you to be part of our exciting company!
Benefits: Paid Time Off, Bonuses for Excellent Performance, Competitive Pay Structure that allows our employees to make more per hour by working efficiently, Comprehensive Training and Mentoring, Positive Work Environment, Mileage Reimbursement.
Please read this part carefully when responding to this posting ?- Email us your:
EMAILS ONLY. We will respond to emails with cover letters ONLY. |
What are the components that make this a compelling employment ad?
- It's positive and upbeat. People want to work in this type of atmosphere – one that is fun and allows their voice to be heard.
- It lists specific requirements, which helps to pre-qualify applicants. People that don't have a driver's license or that know they won't be able to pass a background check or drug test won't bother to apply. (Yes, there may be exceptions to this but in general, you will deter many unqualified people by listing specific requirements)
- It lists the benefits of working for your company. Many employers think benefits means health insurance and vacations. And sure those are great benefits to offer. But think about all the other benefits of working for your company and be sure to list those. Perhaps you offer flexible work hours, all holidays off, and weekends off. If you're having a hard time coming up with a good list of benefits, poll your current employees to find out what they love about working for you. You'll probably hear a thing or two you never thought about before.
- Give specific directions on how to apply. This ad has several requirements (resume, cover letter with specific instructions, email response only). If an applicant doesn't follow the instructions to the letter, do not even consider them for the position. I don't care how good their resume looks, if they can't follow these 3 simple steps, they certainly won't follow your cleaning system.
Before you post your next job opening, put some time into writing a more compelling ad that will attract the best candidates for your cleaning company. You won't regret the extra time you spent finding great employees, but you WILL regret the time wasted waiting for unqualified prospects that never show up for the interview, or that turn out to be less than stellar employees.
Copyright MyHouseCleaningBiz.com. All Rights Reserved
Jean Hanson helps owners of residential cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through her online community at MyHouseCleaningBiz.com. Jean is also the host of the popular Web TV show CleaningBiz.tv and author of the popular newsletter House Cleaning Profit Tips - sign up today!
