10 steps to write a help wanted ad

The following steps may help you write a help wanted ad for your business:

1. Start with a unique headline

Consider using a catchy headline to help you get more applicants to apply. 

To attract job seekers, you might include a list of perks your company offers, such as sign-on bonuses, flexible scheduling or complementary memberships. You might also mention the opportunity for advancement or highlight an important skill for the role.

Examples of help wanted ad headlines include:

• Join Our Team and Start an Exciting Tech Career
• Now Hiring Drivers – $5,000 Sign-On Bonus
• Help Wanted for Part-Time Position With Full Benefits
• Flexible Scheduling for Customer Service Representatives

2. Provide basic job details

Candidates typically want to understand a position’s key details before applying for your open role. Your help wanted ad might include:

• Company name
• Location
• Job title
• Position type (full-time, part-time position, contract)
• Whether the role is in-person, remote or hybrid 
• Expected work hours 
• Salary range
• Application due date
• Desired start date

3. Summarize job duties and responsibilities

This section can outline a typical workday in the role, so candidates know what to expect if hired. Consider creating a bulleted list of the role’s most important duties and responsibilities. 

Here’s an example list to consider for a Sales Associate opening:

• Greet customers who enter the store
• Recommend products to customers based on their needs
• Demonstrate how to use products to encourage sales
• Replenish stock and organize the sales floor
• Process sales transactions using a point of sale (POS) system

4. Outline job requirements for candidates

List core abilities and transferable skills that may help attract the right job candidates. Consider prioritizing skills-first hiring over experience and education requirements, unless the job title requires formal training. 

Examples of skills and qualifications you might include are:

• License or certification in a particular field
• Customer service skills
• Computer and technical skills
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills

5. List the benefits and perks you’re offering

Mentioning unique benefits and perks that make your organization stand out among competitors can encourage candidates to apply. Some examples of things to mention include:

• PTO
• Paid holidays
• Paid family leave
• Medical, dental, vision, long-term care, life and disability insurance
• Commissions
• Bonuses
• Sign-on bonuses
• Stock options
• Retirement plans
• Tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment programs
• Relocation allowances
• Continuing education stipends
• Free uniforms, tools or supplies

6. Add company information

Give job seekers an understanding of your company’s identity by sharing a brief overview of your mission, values and company culture to help potential candidates determine if they align with your organization. You may also want to highlight your company’s history, achievements and future goals. 

Consider including a link or QR code that leads to your company’s website or career page to help candidates learn more.

7. Include a call to action

Encourage candidates to apply to your open positions by including a call to action (CTA) in your help wanted ad. Your CTA might let them know how they can apply, whether they should call, email, apply online or pick up a physical application.

8. Describe the application process

For transparency, let candidates know what to expect after they apply. You might mention whether to expect a phone call or an email. You can also share if you conduct interviews online, in person or when they drop off an application. Answering these questions can help you outline the process for readers.

After describing the process, consider providing necessary contact information, such as the hiring manager’s email address or phone number, so candidates know how to reach your company. 

9. Use videos and photos in your ad

Visual content allows job seekers to get a sense of your company culture, team dynamics and work environment. For example, you might include a short video tour of your office, employee testimonials or a “day in the life” segment. Photos from company events, team-building activities or employee recognition moments can demonstrate your commitment to employee success and wellbeing. 

10. Review and edit your ad

Before you publish your help wanted ad, review it carefully to check for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors. 

Confirm that information like the job description, job title, company details and application process is accurate and up to date. Correct any errors, and consider having someone else proofread your final draft.

7 tips for successful help wanted advertising

To improve the effectiveness of your help wanted advertising, consider these tips:

1. Determine your target audience

When a role opens at your company, consider the following questions:

• Will the candidate benefit from prior industry experience? If so, what type of experience is most relevant?
• What skills are most essential for the role?
• What type of work environment would an ideal candidate enjoy?
• Is the role independent, collaborative or a combination of both?
• What salary do you anticipate offering?

This information can help you craft a compelling help wanted ad. You can also refer to it when  writing a job description for the position.

2. Optimize your help wanted ad

Optimizing your job posts for visibility and reach on job boards and search engines will help you connect with more candidates.

• Feature the job title properly and include common synonyms.
• Research and add relevant keywords in your job posts to improve SEO and reach a wider audience.
• Use short sentences and break information into brief paragraphs.
• Present information in bulleted lists whenever possible.
• Call attention to key information with formatting, such as bold, italics and underlines.

3. Research your local area

Researching the local competition and job market can help you expand your candidate pool. Learn what roles are in demand, where to post jobs in your area, the average salaries in your industry and where to find support for your hiring needs, such as local chambers of commerce.

Check out these market insights below:

• Atlanta Hiring Insights
• Austin Hiring Insights
• Bakersfield Hiring Insights
• Chicago Hiring Insights
• Dallas Hiring Insights
• Denver Hiring Insights
• El Paso Hiring Insights
• Fort Wayne Hiring Insights
• Las Vegas Hiring Insights
• Los Angeles Hiring Insights
• Memphis Hiring Insights
• Miami Hiring Insights
• Nashville Hiring Insights
• New York City Hiring Insights
• Oklahoma Hiring Insights
• Orlando Hiring Insights
• Sacramento Hiring Insights
• San Antonio Hiring Insights
• San Diego Hiring Insights
• Tucson Hiring Insights

4. Know how your competitors advertise

Conduct competitor research to see how others in your industry attract candidates. Some things to consider include:

• Do your competitors post help wanted ads on social media? Which platforms do they use?
• Do your competitors advertise in newspapers, magazines or trade publications?
• Are your competitors posting on niche job boards, such as those intended for specific specialities, industries or small businesses? If so, which ones?
• How do they structure their help wanted ads?
• What job titles and keywords do they feature in their ads?
• What are the strengths of their ads? What are their weaknesses?

5. Use inclusive language

When crafting your help wanted advertising, consider prioritizing workplace inclusivity. Keep job titles and language gender-neutral by using wording that encourages a diverse audience to apply. 

Be especially careful about phrases that may exclude people with disabilities. For example, you might want to use “observe” instead of “see” or “move” instead of “walk.”

6. Seek input before you post

Share the help wanted ad with other members of your team, such as a human resources (HR) representative or the manager who will directly supervise your new hire. Consider asking them to review the job ad and provide any necessary edits.

7. Share your ad in different ways

Once you have your initial help-wanted ad ready to share, use distribution and promotion channels to spread the word. Major online job boards are typically the most popular places to post help wanted ads. 

If you prefer a more traditional route and post a printed version of your ad, cost-effective examples might include:

• Signage in your business’ window
• Local newspapers or magazine classifieds
• Flyers with tear sheets
• Community bulletin boards at grocery stores

If you’re looking to expand your reach, there are cost-effective and free ways to advertise online. Post on Indeed and personal and company social media pages. Online job postings help you expand your search and reach your target audience.

Help wanted ad examples

Get inspiration for your own help wanted ads with these examples:

Window sign help wanted ad

Posting a job ad in your window or storefront can motivate customers to apply. These individuals may already be familiar with your business, products and services. 

When placing a help wanted sign in your window, use an easy-to-read font and bright color. Consider including a QR code so potential candidates can scan the ad with their phone and read more about the position online.

Window ad example

BAKERS WANTED

Join the Twelfth Avenue Bake Shop team!

Earn $12-$15 per hour 

Part-time (20-25 hours per week) 

Monday to Friday, 1st shift 

Benefits:

• Daily snacks

• Flexible schedule

• On-the-job training

Apply in person or online at 12thavebakeshop/apply.  

College campus sample help wanted ad

Another option is to post your help wanted ad on a university or college campus bulletin board. Some colleges may charge you a posting fee or have rules on how long the ad can stay up and the size. Contact the college to learn about their process and where it’s acceptable to post your ad.

College flyer example

Join Fiesta Burger as a Part-Time Cook! 

$13/hr 

Located on Main Street 

Flexible scheduling available to fit your classes

Free meals every shift

Call (555) 777-2222 for more information, or stop in for an application and on-the-spot interview.

Print publication help wanted ad

Print publications often charge by the word for help wanted ads. Bulleted lists make your advertisement more cost-effective. 

Print publication example

RN POSITIONS STARTING AT $51/HOUR!

Full and part-time positions available

Daylight-only hours — no nights or weekends

Convenient location on Main Street with ample parking

What you’ll do:

• Conduct phone triage for patients setting appointments

• Record vital signs

• Provide patient education and provider support

• Oversee 2 medical assistants

We’re looking for RNs who:

• Have a valid Registered Nurse license and current BLS certification

• Can communicate with patients of all ages

• Possess knowledge of wound care, diabetes management and triage best practices

Why work for us?

• $2,000 sign-on bonus

• Competitive benefits package and retirement plan

• Tuition reimbursement program 

• Generous PTO package

• Time off for CME with a stipend for costs

Who we are

Our family medicine practice at Northern Canal Medical Center provides care for patients of all ages. We serve a diverse patient population and are fully committed to providing exceptional care, education and support for the best health outcomes possible. As a part of our team, you’ll help us live up to our mission to ensure equitable access to treatment for everyone.

How to apply

Visit our website at gpatncmc.com to complete your application. We conduct virtual interviews on a rolling basis.

Social media help wanted ad

Thanks to shares and reposts, social media can be an effective way to reach a wide audience. However, each platform has its own post length limits, so you may need to modify your ad for each feed.

Short social media help wanted ad example

We’re hiring Cashiers!

Join the FreshBell Supermarket team

• Earn $14.25/hour

• Full-time position with benefits

• Opportunities for advancement

No experience necessary

Looking for candidates with strong customer service and multitasking skills

Click the link to apply

Long social media help wanted ad example

Help us spread the word! We’re hiring Cashiers!

FreshBell Supermarket has openings for full-time Cashiers to process sales transactions and bag groceries for customers.

• Starting pay is $14/hour

• Full benefits package with health, dental and vision insurance

• 401(k) retirement package

• 20% employee discount
• Many opportunities for advancement with our management training program

No experience is necessary for this entry-level position. If you have strong customer service and multitasking skills, we’re eager to receive your application.

FreshBell Supermarket is the fastest growing supermarket chain in the Northeast. We pride ourselves on our fine selection of fresh produce, delectable prepared foods, butcher-cut meats and sustainable seafood. Our commitment to transparent, everyday low prices helps families eat well for less. Join the FreshBell revolution by becoming part of our team.

Click the link or come to our store to apply. We offer same-day virtual and in-person interviews!

Help Wanted Ad Templates for PDF & Word

Download these catchy help wanted ad templates to help you attract your ideal candidate.

When customizing these templates, choose your words carefully to ensure your ad is clear, engaging, and speaks directly to your ideal candidate.