Business
Making a job advert appealing without including the job salary
Published by Gbaf News
Posted on September 22, 2018
4 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Gbaf News
Posted on September 22, 2018
4 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Is salary really the most important factor a candidate should consider when looking for a job? A recent survey suggests that 18% of people are motivated by money over job satisfaction; something that is raising concerns within the recruitment industry. This is particularly of interest to start ups and young businesses who perhaps can’t afford to match higher rates of pay in comparison to their competitors.
Many people assume if the salary is much higher than expected then they may be under qualified for the position, or if the salary is less than they currently earn the job might seem like a step down and will be viewed negatively. After all, why would you jump ship for less money? If the candidate took a moment to look at the bigger picture however, they may well see that whilst they take home less money, it could benefit them in the long run with company perks and job satisfaction.
Simon Houlton, CEO of IScreenYouScreen, a reference checking tool, gives his advice on how recruiters can make their jobs adverts appealing without including the salary.
Location
Location is a crucial part of looking for a job for any candidate. Working out rail routes, costs of fuel and parking can have a huge impact on whether the job appeals to you or not. There may also be childcare to factor in as well as the extra commute time. For non-drivers, companies located on out of town business parks can be difficult to reach. Giving a vague description, such as London or the South East could put candidates off. A specific location will allow individuals to view your offices on Google Maps and therefore begin to plan a route, visualising themselves at the job.
Employee progression
One of the main reasons’ employees decide to leave their job is through a lack of promotion or progression. An advert that mentions career development, with the chance of being promoted into a senior role will instantly show that your company has a culture of career progression. Other adverts may offer study options to gain specific qualifications. The cost of this alone would out-weigh any shortfall in salary and ultimately lead to a higher wage in the long run. This can be just as attractive to a candidate as having the salary in print.
The environment
Candidates want somewhere they enjoy working. Considering the majority of our days are spent in offices or at the workplace, it’s important to show how your working environment stands out. Even the smallest of details such as dress code, work events and perks all have an impact. If a job description mentions a relaxed culture, employee focused communications and reads in a positive and inviting manner, then you’ll attract candidates. A prospective employee can get a real idea of what to expect if this is stated in an advert and the chances are, they’ll aim to impress you even more at the interview stage.
Perks and benefits
Hidden benefits and perks can make all the difference when it comes to attracting potential employees. If your company subsidises travel loans, health insurance or offers gym memberships use this chance to promote it. It’s important to include these perks on your advert as it shows your company has the employee’s best interests at heart. These perks can act as a ‘replacement’ to including the salary and more often than not, will attract applicants even more. Sales companies in particular offer treats such as holidays or company group trips as a thank you to their staff. A free holiday with no costs, who could resist that temptation?
Childcare facilities
Larger companies are increasingly offering on-site or subsidised child care to help retain staff members, and this is something that you could offer to attract a wider audience. With monthly nursery fees at the equivalent to a mortgage, this point should not be underestimated and could be the defining point whether a future employee applies to work at your company.
Previous experiences
A great way to entice a potential employee is to demonstrate what your company gets up to as part of their trips or reward days. Instead of trying to express it in words, include pictures to help candidates visualise themselves within the team. These previous examples will tell a lot about your business and demonstrates that if you work hard, you’ll be rewarded with days out or company parties; something not every company offers.
For more information regarding CV screening, please visit: www.iscreenyouscreen.com
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