Writing a great job posting isn't always an easy task. For a busy physician recruiter though, it’s worth it to spend a little extra time and effort on the job posting if you want to attract the best of the best candidates. You need to get their attention quickly and provide a meaty description to attract the ideal candidate. Here are some guidelines that might help you stand out from the competition.

First, always remember your job headline is the first thing potential candidates will see. It will be what catches their attention—or doesn’t. You have seconds to get a busy physician to click on your job posting, so make sure to be descriptive and tell WHY the candidate should read further. Use words that both highlight the opportunity and are attention-grabbing. Take this opportunity to drop a few keyword nuggets that reel them in. I call this click-bait!

Some key words and phrases I would suggest including within your job headline include: geographic description, proximity to nearby cities or other attractions, salary potential and benefits, loan repayment information, sign-on bonus availability, or highlights of community life and culture.

Here are some examples of job headlines and suggestions on how to spruce them up a bit:

OK: Cardiologist – Non-invasive opportunity
Better: Practice cardiology in one of Outdoor Life’s Top Outdoor Towns. Sign-on bonus available!

OK: Internal Medicine outpatient opportunity in Illinois
Better: Flexible Internal Med Opportunity, one hour outside Chicago, loan repayment offered

OK: Seeking full-time Pediatric Oncologist in Florida
Better: Join our Pedi Oncology group in sunny Florida, live and work in a seaside paradise!

OK: Family Physician Needed in Colorado
Better: Seeking Family Physician in mountain town - flexible hours - relocation provided

OK: Seeking anesthesiologist for TN hospital
Better: Work in Music City, Nashville, TN – Anesthesiologist, Work 12 days on, 9 days off

Remember, (if you're already an Online client) PracticeLink automatically lists the profession, specialty, employer and state with your job postings. Use the headline to offer information that goes beyond these details and sets your opportunity apart from others in the same
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Next, when writing the job description, be sure to think about the candidate reading it. Put yourself in their shoes and try to think about what they want to know about both the job and the community.

Be sure to highlight your organization’s culture, daily work life and current employees. Use testimonials from current employees. Include detailed information about important things like whether or not relocation is provided, student loan forgiveness programs, sign-on bonus availability, hours and flexibility.

Bring the community to life with information about the local schools, nightlife and opportunities for living a healthy, fun life outside of work. Remember that when candidates are looking for a job, they will take into account all of these aspects of a new role—especially if a move is required.

Talent acquisition expert Peter Weddle suggests your job postings should be able to answer all of these questions for a potential candidate:

• What will they get to do?
• What will they get to learn?
• What will they get to accomplish?
• With whom will they get to work with?
• How will they be recognized and rewarded?

Lastly, don’t forget to make your job postings visually pleasing. Make sure that your text can be easily scanned and is broken up by small chunks of text and bullets. Including these things will make it easily digestible and much easier for the candidate to find the information that is best suited for their particular needs. Be sure to add in some images and videos as well. Doing so will really give those candidates a picture of what it is like to work for your organization.

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