Writing Job Ads That Don’t Sound Like a Buzzword Salad

“We’re a dynamic, fast-paced, game-changing SME looking for a rockstar to join our team…” 

Please stop. 

If your job ad sounds like this, you might be putting people off before they even hit ‘apply’. 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of throwing in every business buzzword you’ve ever heard. You want to sound exciting. You want to attract the best. But let’s be honest, what does fast-paced or game-changing actually mean? 

Most candidates are just trying to figure out if this is a decent job with decent people. They’re asking: 

What will I actually be doing? What skills do I need? Who will I be working with? What’s the pay like? Why should I care? 

If your job ad doesn’t answer those questions clearly, you’ll lose great people to the businesses who do. 

How to Write Job Ads That Attract Real Humans 

Here’s a simple tip, write like a human, for a human. 

That means ditching the buzzwords and being clear about what the job actually involves. Be honest about what’s good and even what’s challenging, so candidates know what to expect. Use plain English rather than corporate waffle and always include the important details like salary, benefits and working hours upfront.  

Most importantly, explain why someone should want to work for your business beyond saying “we’re innovative” or “fast-paced” show them what truly sets you apart. 

Remember, a job ad isn’t a job description. It’s not a legal document or a wish list. It’s an invitation. You’re trying to catch the attention of someone who’s scrolling through dozens of posts. If yours sounds like every other “dynamic SME”, it’s going to blend into the background. 

Need Help? We’ve Got You Covered 

Inside Dakota Blue Academy, you’ll find two practical resources to help you write better job ads: 

Download A Guide to Creating Great Job Adverts 
This guide walks you through what to include (and what to avoid), how to structure your ad and how to make sure it stands out for the right reasons. 

Download the Checklist for Creating Great Job Adverts 
A quick-reference tool you can use every time you’re hiring. Make sure you’ve covered all the important bits before you hit publish. 

These resources are designed for busy business owners and managers who want to hire well but don’t have time to reinvent the wheel. No fluff, no jargon, just clear, useful tools that work. 

If you wouldn’t say it out loud to someone over coffee, don’t write it in a job ad. Keep it simple, honest and human. 

And if you’re ready to level up your hiring without the headache, head into Dakota Blue Academy and download the job advert guide and checklist today.