Why Including Salary in Job Advertisements Matters

Lots of companies forget to mention how much a job pays in their ads. Jesse Green from Adzuna thinks it’s crucial to include salary details. Crafting a good job ad online is vital if you want to attract the best people. Some ads mention the salary, others don’t. This article dives into why some companies leave it out and why others think it’s essential.

When a company needs new folks, they create a traditional “job description.” This gets sent to hiring companies, but often, the salary isn’t part of what’s shared with the public.

Here are the main reasons companies give for not talking about salary upfront:

Keeping Salaries Secret from Current Staff

Companies worry that sharing a new hire’s salary might upset existing employees. Are all your employees earning differently, even at the same level? But this fear shouldn’t stop you from posting salary info in an ad.

Hiding Salaries from Competitors

Some think it’s smart not to reveal salaries to competitors. But truthfully, competitors find this info in other ways, like checking CV databases or making calls to your staff.

Negotiation Advantage

Companies believe not revealing salaries gives them an edge in negotiations. However, studies show that sharing salary info leads to hiring better candidates, even if it means paying more. It’s a long-term win for a company, especially if the recruitment process becomes more efficient.

Just Because We Can

Sure, you can do it, but is it the best move?

Some companies argue that stating an exact salary isn’t in their best interest. Yet, job seekers today face lots of options and more paperwork when applying. They’re looking for as much info as possible before deciding whether to apply.

In essence, more info in job ads attracts better-suited candidates. Including a salary leads to more relevant applications, making the recruitment process more efficient. Jesse Green’s research at Adzuna clearly proves this: ads with salary info get more applications from higher-qualified and experienced candidates.

Green’s research with a South African job portal showed that ads mentioning salaries received better-quality applications.

The bottom line: Adding a salary to job ads benefits both employers and job seekers. It attracts better applications and hires. While some reasons might justify keeping salaries hidden, overall, it’s better to be clear about the salary range in your job ads.

Leave a Comment