Tags
Administration
Benefits
Communication
Communication Programs
Compensation
Conflict & Dispute Resolution
Developing & Coaching Others
Employee Satisfaction/Engagement
Executive Coaching
HR Metrics & Measurement
HR Outsourcing
HRIS/ERP
Human Resources Management
Internal Corporate Communications
Labor Relations
Labor Trends
Leadership
Leadership Training & Development
Leading Others
Legal
Management
Motivating
Motivation
Organizational Development
Pay Strategies
Performance Management
Present Trends
Recognition
Retention
Staffing
Staffing and Recruitment
Structure & Organization
Talent
The HR Practitioner
Training
Training and Development
Trends
U.S. Based Legal Issues
Vision, Values & Mission
Work-Life Programs & Employee Assistance Programs - EAP
Workforce Acquisition
Workforce Management
Workforce Planning
Workplace Regulations
corporate learning
employee engagement
interpersonal communications
leadership competencies
leadership development
legislation
News
Onboarding Best Practices
Good Guy = Bad Manager :: Bad Guy = Good Manager. Is it a Myth?
Five Interview Tips for Winning Your First $100K+ Job
Base Pay Increases Remain Steady in 2007, Mercer Survey Finds
Online Overload: The Perfect Candidates Are Out There - If You Can Find Them
Cartus Global Survey Shows Trend to Shorter-Term International Relocation Assignments
New Survey Indicates Majority Plan to Postpone Retirement
What do You Mean My Company’s A Stepping Stone?
Rewards, Vacation and Perks Are Passé; Canadians Care Most About Cash
Do’s and Don’ts of Offshoring
Error: No such template "/hrDesign/network_profileHeader"!
Blogs / Send feedback
Help us to understand what's happening?
Reason
It's a fake news story
It's misleading, offensive or inappropriate
It should not be published here
It is spam
Your comment
More information
Security Code
The Power of Titles and Headline Statements by Jeff Perry
Created by
Jeff Perry
Content
Buying a car, shopping for groceries, taking a class, landing a job or searching for a new employee - it's effected by marketing. Whichever side of the fence you are on - the "buyer or the "seller - we form opinions and make decisions based on the marketing messages we receive. <br /><br />The world of Employment Advertising is no exception. Attractive logos, extensive benefits packages, flexible schedules; all can be used to make an impact on job candidates and affect how many, (and how many "quality) people reply to job postings. When considering how to attract readers to your employment ads, one of your key opportunities lies in the Job Title. Titles are more than a required part of a job posting. They give advertisers the chance to use the power of titles to attract the attention of job seekers. <br /><br />According to marketing legend David Ogilvy, five times as many people read a headline (or title) as do the entire ad. The key for employers is to use the opportunity of the title to see that the candidates they want to attract are the ones that go on to read their ad. Additionally, when presented with numerous similar opportunities, a more colorful title can help your ad stand out among job seekers and be the one that gets reviewed. <br /><br />What makes a good title?<br /><br />A good title contains information that helps the job seekers know more about the position, opportunity, situation, or company. Some advertisers use a traditional title and embellish it while others scrap the conventional title all together. "Ralph, a Manager at one of the country's largest Financial and Insurance Services companies, says, "I try to consider the basic facts about the opportunity, and then highlight a selected part which the reader might find especially intriguing. <br /><br />Reframing the concept<br />For example, while others will use titles such as Insurance Agent or Financial Services Rep, "Ralph the District Manager of a large financial firm uses titles like "Take Charge of Your Career Selling Products Everyone Needs! While the prior two examples lead to pre-conditioned or limited ideas about the opportunity, re-framing it as the later title presents a positive picture. This brings results. <br /><br />Ralph says, "I often ask responders what caught their attention in my recruitment ad. More often than not they reply, 'The headline, that got me thinking&' When I hear that, I know I have a good title. <br /><br />Another recruiter in the Financial Services field presents their job as a "Small Business Opportunity - Financial Services. His title reframes the posting and turns it from a "job into a different kind of opportunity, one that attracts entrepreneurial people.<br /><br /><br />Here are some ideas for enhancing your job titles and attracting more people!<br /><br />Job Title with Requirements<br /><br />Some titles will embellish a traditional title with a requirement: <br /><br />"Electrical Engineer - CE compliance experience. <br />"Administrative Assistant - Executive experience required. <br /><br />In other cases, employers don't want people with a lot of experience. Indicating this in the title will discourage those overqualified and help attract better matches. For example: <br /><br />"Auditor - Entry Level. <br /><br />Title with Call to Action<br /><br />Another popular title technique is to attach a call to action. This is particularly useful when you have an event or sense of urgency. For example: <br /><br />"Sales Reps - Open House Tuesday 9/10!! <br />"Collectors - Only 2 Positions Left!<br /><br />Title with Job Information<br /><br />For greater impact, attach more information about the position to attract people. Such as;<br /><br />"Sales - Flexible Schedule & Casual Work Environment. <br />"Nurse Manager - Inpatient Behavioral Health<br />"Product Manager - Golf Equipment.<br /><br />Title with Company Information<br /><br />If you have something to brag about, do it in your job titles! <br /><br />"HR Representative - 'Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For' in America<br />"Sr. Staff Accountant - BEST PLACES TO WORK<br />"Financial Representative with a Fortune Magazine TOP COMPANY<br />"Automotive Sales - Zero negotiations! #1 Dealer in the Midwest<br /><br />Show Me the Money<br /><br />"Our Top Rep Earned Over $30,000 Last Month!<br />"RN/LPN - $3000 Sign-On Bonus<br />"Drivers - potential to earn up to $65,000 in your first year<br /><br />Non-traditional Titles<br /><br />"Work For a Company Created For Collectors by Collectors!<br />"Take Charge of Your Career Selling Products Everyone Needs<br />"Do You Know What the Fastest Growing Form of Media is?<br />"Are You Passionate About the Movies?<br />
Copyright © 1999-2025 by
HR.com - Maximizing Human Potential
. All rights reserved.