How to Create a Want Ad

A 鈥淗elp Wanted? newspaper advertisement should include basic information about the job location and duties.

Steps

1. Determine the job category that is best suitable for the position. If the position is for a janitor at a school, you might advertise for a 鈥淪chool Custodian?. Perhaps the position will be for a person to answer phones at the office. Your advertisement might identify the position as 鈥淩eceptionist?.
2. Briefly describe where the job is located; such as 鈥淴YZ Company in New Haven?, or 鈥淭he Anderson Building, Downtown Smithville?. Give an exact address: 鈥?23 Main Street, Smithville?
3. Describe the basic duties that are performed at this job. If this position includes a number of chores, mention a few of them; i.e., 鈥淗eavy phones, typing, filing?, or 鈥淪weeping, trash removal, window washing?. This information provides the applicant with a general idea of what she will be doing at her new job.
4. Tell the reader what her schedule will be. 鈥淢onday through Friday, 8 a.m. 鈥?5 p.m.?, or 鈥淔lexible hours, some overtime?.
5. Optional. Include a telephone number where the applicant may call for any additional information, include the area code and the department or person鈥檚 name they should ask for, such as: For further information, 鈥淐all 888-123-4567, ask for Mr. Jones?.
6. Optional. Whether you want to disclose the salary range for this position is at your discretion. If the pay rate is firm, say so: 鈥淭his job starts at $12.00 per hour?. If the pay rate for the job depends upon how much experience the applicant has, you might say 鈥淣egotiable salary depending on experience?.
7. Tell the reader how to apply for the position. If you want the applicant to come to your place of business, you might say 鈥淎pply in person at XYZ Company?. Or, if you prefer that the applicant submit their qualifications in writing, you might suggest 鈥淧lease submit resume by mail to XYZ Company?, or 鈥淧lease apply by e-mail?, and include the e-mail address.

Tips

• Here鈥檚 an example for the position of a Window Washer: "WINDOW WASHER: XYZ Company at 123 Main St. in Smithville is now accepting applications for a full-time window washer. Scheduled hours, Tues. through Sat., 9 a.m. 鈥?4 p.m. Duties include washing windows and some maintenance. Experience not required, but helpful. Starting salary $12.00 per hour. Call Mr. Jones at (888) 123-4567 for further information or apply in person at the XYZ Company personnel office."
• If this position requires a particular skill or talent (such as lifting heavy items or speaking a foreign language), your ad should include that information.

Warnings

• Remember: You cannot discriminate based upon race/ethnicity, religion, gender, age, marital status or sexual preference. Check with your local government on specific situations.