The UK job market is a competitive landscape. As an employer, you're competing for a limited pool of highly-skilled candidates. While you may have a fantastic company culture, a great team, and a competitive salary, the reality is that none of that matters if your job ad isn't being seen by the right people.
That’s where keywords come in.
A free job ad on MyJobsi.co.uk is a powerful tool, but its effectiveness is entirely dependent on how well it's optimised for search. The modern job seeker doesn't scroll through pages of listings; they use specific search terms to find what they're looking for. By strategically integrating the right keywords into your ad, you can significantly increase your visibility, attract higher quality applicants, and make your hiring process more efficient.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps to turn your free job ad into a magnet for top talent.
Before you can write a great ad, you need to think like a job seeker. Today's candidates use a variety of search terms that go far beyond a simple job title. They are looking for:
Specific job titles: "Project Manager," "Graphic Designer," "Customer Service Assistant."
Skills and qualifications: "SQL," "NVQ Level 3," "Social Media Management," "Team Leadership."
Software and tools: "Adobe Photoshop," "Salesforce," "Microsoft 365," "Python."
Industries: "Fintech," "E-commerce," "Charity."
Location and flexibility: "London," "Manchester," "Remote," "Hybrid Working."
Company benefits: "Pension," "Bonus," "Training," "Flexible Hours."
Your goal is to anticipate these search terms and weave them naturally into your job posting.
Your job title is the first and most important keyword. It's the headline that either grabs a candidate's attention or gets lost in the noise.
This is the most common mistake. While a title like "Chief Fun Officer" might sound creative internally, no one is searching for it. Stick to the industry standard. If the role is for a project manager, call it a "Project Manager." If it's a software engineer, use "Software Engineer." Simplicity and clarity win every time.
If your role is for a junior or senior position, be sure to include that in the title. A junior candidate will search for "Junior Accountant," not just "Accountant." Using qualifiers like "Junior," "Senior," "Lead," or "Apprentice" helps you target candidates at the right level of experience.
If your role is based in a specific city, a hybrid role, or fully remote, make sure to state that clearly in the title. For example, "Digital Marketing Manager - London" or "Fully Remote Sales Representative." This not only helps with search rankings but also manages candidate expectations from the start.
The job description is where you can truly showcase your ad and attract the right talent. This is the place to be detailed, specific, and keyword-rich.
Job seekers often search for jobs that match their specific skills and educational background. Your ad should reflect this.
Hard Skills: List the technical, measurable skills required for the role. For a marketing role, this might include "SEO," "PPC," "Content Creation," or "Email Marketing." For an engineering role, it could be "AutoCAD," "SolidWorks," or "Python."
Soft Skills: Don't forget to include the interpersonal skills that are crucial for success. Keywords like "Communication," "Teamwork," "Problem-Solving," and "Adaptability" are highly valuable and often searched for.
UK-Specific Qualifications: If a specific qualification is required, use its official name. This might include "A-Levels," "GCSEs," "NVQ Level 3," or "BSc in Computer Science." Using these terms ensures that candidates with the right academic background will find your ad.
Modern jobs are built around specific software and tools. If your team uses a particular CRM, project management tool, or creative suite, list it explicitly. A candidate who is an expert in Salesforce or Microsoft 365 will use those terms in their search, and you want your ad to be a match.
Speak the language of your industry. For example, a role in healthcare might mention "CQC regulations," while a role in finance might refer to "Fintech" or "MiFID II." Using this terminology shows candidates that you're a serious player in their field and helps your ad rank for relevant searches.
While a simple job title is a keyword, a "long-tail keyword" is a more specific phrase that job seekers use when they have a clearer idea of what they want.
For example:
Short-tail keyword: "Marketing Manager"
Long-tail keyword: "Part-time Digital Marketing Manager London"
By including these longer, more specific phrases naturally within your job description, you can attract candidates who are a perfect fit. If you're looking for someone who needs a flexible schedule, make sure to mention "part-time," "flexible hours," or "4-day work week" in your description. This not only improves your search ranking but also weeds out candidates who are not looking for that specific arrangement.
Job seekers are not just looking for a role; they are looking for a great place to work. Keywords related to company benefits and culture are becoming increasingly important.
Benefits: Mentioning benefits like "pension scheme," "private healthcare," "training budget," or "employee share options" can make your ad stand out.
Culture: Use words that describe your company culture. Keywords like "collaborative environment," "supportive team," "career progression," or "work-life balance" resonate with candidates who are looking for more than just a job.
To ensure your ad is fully optimised, use this simple checklist before you post:
Job Title: Is it a common, searchable title? Have you included qualifiers like "Senior" or "Junior" if needed?
Keywords: Have you included specific hard and soft skills in the description?
Qualifications: Have you listed any essential UK-specific qualifications (e.g., A-Levels, NVQ)?
Software/Tools: Have you explicitly mentioned the software or technology your team uses?
Location: Is the location clearly stated? Does the ad mention if it's a remote or hybrid role?
Benefits: Does the ad highlight key benefits that will attract top talent?
Tone: Is the language natural and engaging, not just a list of keywords?
By following these steps, you can ensure that your free job ad on MyJobsi.co.uk is not just a listing, but a powerful recruiting tool that connects you with the best candidates the UK has to offer.
