Dental Lab Checklist to Maximise Your Job Advert's Potential

To create a job advert that efficiently converts, it's important to include basic details and provide a clear background of your company while recruiting for specialised roles such as an experienced ceramist or prosthetics/removable's dental technician.

Missing out on essential components in your job advert could cost you a potential candidate. Therefore, covering all the elements listed in our essential checklist would maximise your chances of attracting and placing a top-tier technician.

1. Use the correct tone

One of the critical aspects to consider when crafting a job description is the tone of writing. The issue with many job adverts is the way they are written, this starts with the tone.

A poor tone can make the job seem dull, unprofessional, and uninviting, which may deter qualified candidates from applying even if they are interested in the job itself. By contrast, a well-written job description that uses the right tone can attract top candidates and make them excited about the job application process.

It can also give candidates a better idea of a company's culture and work environment, making them more likely to envision themselves working for that particular organisation. Overall, using the right tone can help convey the right message, showcase the dental lab's personality and values, appeal to the right candidates, and ultimately increase the likelihood of finding the best candidate for the job.

Here's an example:

We're currently seeking an experienced CAD/CAM dental technician to join our team. As an experienced CAD/CAM technician, you will be responsible for designing cases from single units to full arch implant bridges, using ExoCad and 3Shape software. We use the latest digital technology including Nexa ZiP printers, DWX-4W milling machines and the latest materials.

You should be detail-oriented, organised, and able to work independently or as part of a team. If you have a passion for dental technology, take pride in your work, and want to make a difference in patient care, we encourage you to apply for this position."

Remember, most technicians might already be settled into their current dental lab roles, and to get them interested, you have to put in extra effort to sell them the role.

2. Choose the correct length

The ideal length of a job description often depends on the profession you are advertising, but as a general rule, try to stay under 700 words. Research conducted by Wyzowl shows that the average attention span of a person is less than a goldfish's (8.25 seconds), so a job description that is too long may be overlooked, and ultimately deter prospective candidates.

Moreover, a lengthy job advert could give the impression of a dull and lifeless work environment, while a well-structured and engaging job description can convey an ideal balance between professionalism and personality.

3. Searchability

Searchability is crucial when writing a job description because it ensures your content is easily discoverable by potential candidates.

With so many job postings online, candidates often use specific search terms to filter through the job listings. If your job title or description doesn't include the right keywords, it may not appear in the search results, or worse, it may attract the wrong candidates.

Hence, if you decide to go with an unconventional job title like "Exocad Expert" instead of a more common one like "CAD/CAM Dental Technician" you might find it hard to attract the desired traffic. Therefore, it's crucial to strike a balance between creativity and practicality when choosing job titles and descriptions.

By considering relevant search terms, you have a better chance of reaching the right audience and attracting qualified technicians with the necessary skills and experience for the job.

4. Shift your focus to the job itself

While it may seem like an obvious inclusion, it's easy to overlook the importance of the job itself when writing a job advert and getting caught up in selling the company.

Candidates generally search for whether they can perform the job before anything else. While information about the company's history and growth plans is great, limiting it to no more than three lines can be beneficial when trying to stay within the 700-word limit.

Technicians are eager to learn about the job, including day-to-day responsibilities and the required experience level. By focusing on the role and tasks in detail, you'll have enough space to promote the position.

5. Go easy on the requirements!

Based on a study by Harvard Business Review, men tend to apply for a job if their qualifications match about 60% of the listed requirements, while women usually only apply if they meet 100%.

In light of this, it's crucial to carefully evaluate the job requirements. Differentiate the "must-have" skills, experiences, and qualifications from the "nice-to-have" ones.

Creating two distinct lists will ensure that you don't deter too many potential candidates. In addition, if a particular skill is learnable, you may want to leave it off the list entirely.

6. The 8 Job description basics

• Job title.
• Job description.
• Location.
• Salary. (read why this is SO important)
• Company name (or brief description, if confidential).
• Essential skills.
• Call to action.
• Contact information.

This may appear straightforward, but these simple steps are often overlooked by many people.

7. Be mobile friendly

Pro tip - this might seem like a tiny detail, but trust me, it's worth taking the time to implement.

When it comes to content length, keeping your job ad under 700 words is also a smart move for mobile optimisation, because nobody wants to spend hours scrolling through a job ad, right?!

It's predicted that mobile devices will soon become the primary choice for job seekers. And if you think this is just a passing trend, think again! Here are a few stats to consider;

• 86% of job seekers who have a smartphone use it to search for jobs
• 55% receive job alerts
• 47% apply to jobs
• 45% would track application status

By prioritising mobile optimisation, you'll be opening up your job ad to a whole new world of potential candidates who are on the go. And who knows? It could mean the difference between finding the perfect fit and settling for less.

8. Record what works

The last crucial item on this job ad checklist is making sure you have the necessary tools to track your results. Although it may not provide immediate benefits, tracking your results will come in handy for future job posts.

By analysing the successes and shortcomings of your current job ad, you can make the necessary adjustments and enhancements for future job openings. So, don't forget to set up the right tracking tools to make the most of your job ad performance data.

For more dental lab career tips, register with Recruit4Technicians here (it's free!)

Posted by Andy Foster