In today’s world, security is essential for businesses of all sizes in the UK. A well-written security job ad can help you attract qualified candidates and fill your open security positions. Here are some do’s and don’ts of security job ads:
Do’s for writing a security job ad
✅ Security job ads should be easy to read and understand, even for people who are not familiar with the security industry. Use simple words and phrases instead of jargon or technical terms. Break up your text into short paragraphs and use subheadings to make it easy to scan.
✅ Use keywords that are relevant to the security industry to found by potential candidates who are searching for security jobs. Use keywords throughout your job ad, including in the title, the job description, and the qualifications section.
✅ Security is a rewarding and challenging field, and your job ad should reflect that. Mention the salary range, the benefits package, and the opportunities for professional development. Talk about the satisfaction of protecting people and property from harm.
✅ Provide a clear overview of the job duties and responsibilities to help potential candidates to determine if they are a good fit for the job. List the specific tasks and responsibilities that the security professional will be responsible for. If you want to hire door supervisor, be as specific as possible about the responsibilities and duties of a door supervisor, and don’t forget to include any certifications or licences that are required.
✅ Don’t oversell the job or make it sound like something it’s not. Be honest about the hours, the travel, and the stress level of the job. Don’t promise things that you can’t deliver, such as a promotion or a raise within a certain timeframe.
✅ Active voice is more engaging and easier to read than passive voice. For example, instead of saying “The security guard was notified of the suspicious activity,” you could say “The suspicious activity was notified to the security guard.”
✅ Strong verbs make your writing more powerful and persuasive. For example, instead of saying “The security guard investigated the incident,” you could say “The security guard probed the incident.”
✅ Specific language helps potential candidates to visualise themselves in the role. For example, instead of saying “The security guard will be responsible for protecting the company’s assets,” you could say “The security guard will be responsible for preventing unauthorised access to the company’s data centre, monitoring security cameras, and responding to security incidents.”
✅ Typos and grammatical errors will make your job ad look unprofessional. Use a grammar checker to help you identify and correct any errors.
Don’ts of a security job ad
✅ Jargon and technical terms can make your job ad confusing and inaccessible to potential candidates. If you must use jargon, be sure to define it clearly in the job description or a separate glossary.
✅ A good rule of thumb is to keep your job ad to one page or less. A long job ad is more likely to be skipped over by potential candidates. Get to the point and only include the most important information.
✅ Your job ad should be unique and reflect the specific needs of your organisation. Don’t use generic job ads that you found online. Take the time to tailor your job ad to your specific needs and requirements.
✅ Security is an exciting field, and your job ad should reflect that. Use active verbs and positive language to make your job ad sound more exciting. Talk about the challenges and the rewards of working in security.
Conclusion
By following the dos and don’ts outlined in this blog post, you can write a security job ad that will attract qualified candidates and help you fill your open security positions.
Here are a few key takeaways:
- Use clear and concise language that is easy to understand for both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Highlight the benefits of working in the security industry, such as the high salaries, the opportunities for professional development, and the satisfaction of protecting people and property from harm.
- Be specific about the job duties and responsibilities of the position, including any required certifications or licences.
- Set realistic expectations for the job, such as the hours, the travel, and the stress level.
- Proofread your job ad carefully before you submit it to ensure that it is free of errors.
By following these tips, you can assure that you are hiring security guards from the best and brightest security professionals in the UK.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes