In today's competitive job market, every element of your job advert matters. You have a fantastic company, a supportive team, and an exciting opportunity waiting for the right person. But how do you ensure that your perfect candidate even sees your job ad, let alone clicks on it? The answer lies in the single most important piece of real estate in your entire advert: the title.
On a platform like MyJobsi.co.uk, where thousands of jobs are competing for attention, your job title is your first and often only chance to make an impression. It's the headline, the hook, and the summary all in one. A great title can boost your ad's visibility, attract qualified candidates, and significantly increase your chances of finding the perfect hire. A poor title, however, can cause your advert to get lost in the noise, regardless of how compelling the job description is.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the art and science of crafting a powerful job title, ensuring your free advert doesn't just get seen, but gets clicked.
Think of the job search experience from the candidate's perspective. They are typically scrolling through a list of dozens, if not hundreds, of titles. Their decision to click is made in a fraction of a second. What's happening in that moment?
1. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): The vast majority of job seekers use keywords to find relevant roles. A candidate looking for a "Marketing Manager" will type exactly that into the search bar. If your title is "Head of Brand Communications," your advert might not show up, even if the job is a perfect match. The title is the first thing that algorithms read to determine if your ad is relevant to a search query.
2. First Impressions and User Experience: A clear, concise, and professional title immediately tells the candidate what the job is, what they'd be doing, and what level of experience is required. A confusing or generic title, on the other hand, creates friction and uncertainty. Candidates are more likely to skip over an ad that forces them to guess what the job entails.
3. The Promise of a Good Fit: A well-crafted title acts as a promise. It promises the candidate that this opportunity is worth their time and that it aligns with their career goals. It’s an essential tool for filtering out unqualified applicants while attracting those with the right skills and aspirations.
A great title isn't just a label; it's a strategic tool designed to capture attention and deliver the right message to the right audience.
To build a title that truly stands out, you need to combine key elements that are both specific and searchable. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components:
1. Be Specific with the Job Role Avoid vague or generic terms. Be as specific as possible to help candidates and search engines understand the role instantly.
Instead of: "Developer"
Use: "Full-Stack Developer" or "Front-End Developer (React)"
Instead of: "Manager"
Use: "Digital Marketing Manager" or "Retail Store Manager"
This specificity not only improves your search visibility but also sets clear expectations for the role.
2. Incorporate High-Value Keywords In the UK market, candidates often search for specific skills or technologies. Include these keywords directly in your title if they are crucial to the role.
For a Tech Role: "Data Scientist with Python" or "SQL Developer"
For a Design Role: "Graphic Designer (Adobe Creative Suite)"
For a Marketing Role: "PPC Specialist" or "Social Media Executive"
Be careful not to overdo it; the goal is to be informative, not to stuff your title with keywords. One or two key skills are usually sufficient.
3. Define the Level of Experience Explicitly stating the seniority level helps candidates immediately determine if they are a suitable fit. This saves you from sifting through applications from candidates who are either overqualified or underqualified.
Use: "Junior," "Mid-Level," "Senior," "Lead," or "Head of..."
Example: "Junior Accountant" or "Senior UX/UI Designer"
A candidate searching for a senior role will not waste their time on an ad titled "Accountant" if they can see "Junior" in another ad.
4. Specify the Location (or Lack Thereof) Location is a top priority for most job seekers in the UK. Being clear about the work location is non-negotiable.
For a physical office: "Marketing Assistant in Manchester" or "Architectural Technologist - Central London"
For flexible work: "Fully Remote," "Hybrid (London)," or "Field Service Engineer - North West"
Clarity on location prevents mismatched applications and shows respect for the candidate's time and preferences.
Even with the best intentions, it's easy to make mistakes that prevent your advert from being seen. Here’s what to avoid:
1. Using Internal Jargon or "Clever" Titles While you might think "Digital Guru" or "Code Ninja" sounds creative, it's a huge turn-off for most job seekers and a non-starter for search engines. These titles are not searchable and give the impression that your company is unprofessional or trying too hard. Stick to industry-standard terminology.
2. Being Vague and Generic Titles like "Office Assistant" or "Customer Service" are too broad. They fail to distinguish your role from the thousands of similar positions and make it impossible for candidates to understand what the job actually entails. Be more descriptive, for example: "Client Support Advisor" or "Executive Assistant to the CEO."
3. Keyword Stuffing While keywords are important, cramming too many into a title is counterproductive. A title like "Junior SEO Specialist PPC Manager Social Media Executive" is unreadable and looks spammy. It’s better to be concise and focused on the primary function of the role.
4. Misleading Titles Never use a title that promises a more senior role or a higher salary than the job actually offers. This erodes trust and will only attract the wrong candidates, leading to a high turnover rate and a damaged employer brand.
Once you have the basics down, you can use a few advanced techniques to make your advert truly irresistible.
1. Highlight a Unique Selling Point (USP) If your company has a unique benefit or a great reputation, don’t be afraid to mention it. This adds an immediate layer of credibility and appeal.
Example: "UX/UI Designer (Remote) - Voted Best UK Tech Startup" or "Sales Executive - Uncapped Commission."
2. Use Power Words Strategically Words like "Dynamic," "Exciting," "Innovative," or "Pioneering" can attract attention, but they should be used sparingly and only when they genuinely fit the role.
Example: "Exciting Opportunity for a Senior Marketing Manager"
3. Mention Unique Benefits (if concise) If the ad has a particularly strong selling point, such as a four-day work week or a completely flexible schedule, it’s worth including it in the title.
Example: "Software Engineer - 4-Day Work Week"
A well-crafted title is not a detail to be overlooked; it is the cornerstone of your recruitment strategy. It ensures that your advert, even a free one, reaches the right candidates and makes a lasting, professional first impression. By focusing on specificity, keywords, and clarity, you can dramatically improve the performance of your job postings on MyJobsi.co.uk.
Ready to attract top talent? Use these tips to craft your next job title and post your free advert on MyJobsi.co.uk today!
