We have just introduced a new feature on Six Figures – the ratings of job ads by our members. What this means is that each Six Figures member will be able to rate any job ad that they view, as well as view the average member rating given to each job ad. Job Ad Ratings are based on the quality, relevance and detail of the information included in the ad.
This is a very exciting development in the job site arena for many reasons, including:
1. Quality from the outset. Six Figures is committed to quality and transparency for both our advertisers and members. We have always promoted the importance of these attributes in attracting talent, as quality input (e.g. information provided in job ads) breeds a quality outcome, and the majority of high level salary earners want to be informed about a broad range of job criteria before applying for a position. Great employers understand the need for quality from the outset of the recruitment process and deliver (ERE.net, a valued online recruiting community site, has a good blog article on Five Ways to Create Inspiring Job Announcements).
2. Real-time feedback. In the spirit of Web 2.0 collaboration, all members can participate in the recruitment process by providing rating feedback to advertisers. We see these ratings as a great way to let advertisers know whether their job ads are capturing job seekers’ interest and making an impression. Think of Job Ad Ratings as shared, real-time market feedback on the effectiveness of job ads for the high salary earner.
3. Benchmarking. Over time, advertisers on Six Figures will be able to view metrics that include Job Ad Ratings, providing more in-depth benchmarks of their job ads compared to others in their industry, etc. In a tight labour market, and with more access to information online than ever before, job seekers will increasingly compare businesses and employment opportunities to others; as such, advertisers will need to respond accordingly.
4. Positive influence. Those advertisers that take the time and effort to provide quality job ads should be rewarded. Following the online trend of the “wisdom of crowds”, Job Ad Ratings will in future be used to positively influence job ads.
The burgeoning area of Member participation and Client-Member interaction (beyond the job application process) is very much a work-in-progress for Six Figures and will depend upon the response to our Job Ad Ratings feature:
- Job Seekers - do you see value in being able to communicate your feedback about the job ads you are viewing? What other feedback would you want to communicate?
- Advertisers - what are you doing to solicit feedback about your job ads and/or recruitment process? Does your business see the value in two-way communication to attract talent?
Online employment advertising and talent attraction is changing and will be influenced by how social and collaboration technologies permeate all online services.
2 Comments
I do like the idea of rating ads – as was very disappointed when clicking through to the recent ASIO vacancies I clicked through to a general website that had little reference to the job advertised. Found the capacity to then consider/apply for the vacancy very unclear.
We strongly encourage businesses who have their own job application system to use an apply link that goes directly to the ad on their site or to the application process for that ad.
Unfortunately, some of the recruitment systems and career sites make this difficult or (at worst) impossible to do. So, businesses who have general website links or have too many barriers in the way of job seekers being able to apply for a job will miss out on potential applicants.