Advertise
We advertise jobs with the sole purpose of attracting a superior group of applicants from which to choose.
Checklist
- Agency approval to advertise vacancy
- Nominate a contact person
- Proof read your Job Description before advertising
Questions
- What type of people am I trying to attract to the job?
- Where will I advertise the vacancy?
- Can I advertise overseas?
- Who can I go to for advice on advertising options?
- What are the financial implications?
- What about removal costs?
- Is the contact person going to be available?
- How much information will appear in the advertisement?
Proof read your Job Description before advertising
Advertising is costly $$$. If the advertisement or selection criteria are incorrect it will probably be necessary to readvertise.
What type of people am I trying to attract to the job?
Allow time for the vacancy to be advertised. When insufficient time is allocated for advertising, mistakes occur. Selection Criteria cannot be added subtracted or amended in any way once the vacancy has been advertised. Remember if you advertise the wrong criteria you will get an inappropriate field of applicants.
Consider the type of people you would like to attract. Are they:
- from a particular industry or profession that may have journals or magazines where an advertisement would be seen by this target audience?
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people who have access to relevant community groups?
- graduates or school leavers who can be targeted through schools and universities?
Where will I advertise the vacancy?
All Northern Territory vacancies are advertised as a minimum in the NT News (Centralian Advocate for Alice Springs positions) and on the web site. These methods are well known and have a ready-made audience.
Taking into consideration the potential extra costs, advertisements can also be placed with:
- National papers such as The Australian
- Professional journals, magazines and web-sites
- Professional email groups
- Associations and Unions
- Community groups
- Regional Media
- Schools and universities
- Internally throughout your agency or relevant business groups
Can I advertise overseas?
Vacancies that are difficult to fill may be advertised overseas. If someone from overseas is the successful applicant, Ministerial approval is required prior to any offer of appointment. In addition, immigration formalities and pre-appointment checks (ie qualifications) must be completed prior to the applicant travelling to Australia. Permanent employment will depend on meeting the requirements of Employment Instruction No 1.
Who can I go to for advice on advertising options?
Industry professionals will be aware of relevant journals and avenues available for specific professions. DCIS will be able to assist with knowledge of the general press.
What are the financial implications?
It should be noted that advertising is expensive and could be restricted by your budget limitations. As a manager you may have to weigh up the pro's and con's of either advertising your vacancy in a range of publications to attract a wider field of applicants, or narrowing the field by minimising the circulation.
Remember it will cost a lot more in time and money if you have to re-advertise.
What about removal costs?
If you decide to advertise outside the Territory you are obviously trying to attract applicants from other states and territories. This will highlight the question as to who will pay for the removal costs for the successful applicant. Each agency CEO has the delegation to decide what they are prepared to offer in relocation expenses and this should be considered when deciding where to advertise.
Remember an agency may still be asked to pay for removal costs when a vacancy is advertised in the Territory only.
Is the contact officer going to be available?
Many vacancies are advertised nominating a contact officer who is either never available due to work commitments or who proceeds on leave.
The contact officer should be someone who has knowledge of the vacancy and most importantly they MUST be available during the time the vacancy is being advertised. It is frustrating for applicants if they cannot make contact with the officer to gain extra information or to clarify the role of the job. Potential applicants use this information to decide if they are interested in and suitable for the job.
How much information will appear in the advertisement?
The Job Description is the basis of the advertisement. It is the primary objective that is advertised in the NT News, and the selection criteria is sent out on request from potential applicants.