EEO / AA Recruiting and Hiring

Advertising Strategies

Boise State University utilizes a number of advertising resources to generate applicant flow for open non-classified and faculty positions. Advertisements can be placed on the Internet or in newspapers, journals, or trade publications depending upon the financial resources and the type of position. Prior to placing an advertisement, the following steps should be taken:

  1. Determine the budget available for advertising.
  2. Work with the EEO/Affirmative Action Office on the development of ad text.
  3. Determine the recruiting area, for example, will you pay for interview trips and relocation costs, or should you keep the search more local?
  4. Seek suggestions from professionals in the field regarding appropriate journals and trade publications to use.
  5. Review ads of other organizations to see how positions similar to yours are advertised.
  6. Decide on the advertising medium, placement within the newspaper, journal and size of the advertisement.
  7. Confirm the date you want the ad to appear and the deadline for submission.

Internet Ads

Internet advertising can reach a large audience at a reasonable cost. Job seekers are increasingly turning to the Internet for assistance in their searches. Some facts to consider are:

  • Statistics have shown that a majority of Internet job seekers are ready to begin a new job within three months
  • There are currently over 3,500 Internet recruitment sites available.
  • Internet ads are cost effective, less that $500 per ad for 1-2 week posting. Some Internet sites are free.
  • Internet Ads are available to job seekers around the clock and for more than one day.
  • Internet ads are not subject to the deadline restrictions for print ads, or to the long lead times of most professional publications.

Newspaper Ads

Local newspapers commonly used are the Idaho Statesman and the Idaho Press Tribune. Additionally, when requested, the EEO/AA Office will place ads in the Chronicle of Higher Education and on HigherEd Jobs.com. When advertising in a newspaper, you may choose between a classified (line ad) and a display ad.

A classified ad is all text and placed in the classified section of the newspaper. The deadline for the ad request is Wednesday of the week of placement for a Sunday ad (Statesman).

A display ad is larger and typically includes a graphic and the use of white space to draw attention to the ad. Display ads are typically used for mid to upper level manager and professional positions. A typical display ad in the Statesman will cost approximately $500 - $1000. The deadline for a Sunday display ad is Wednesday of the week of the placement (Statesman).

The cost for placement in the Chronicle of Higher Education is significantly higher.

The EEO/AA Office will submit your ads for quotes so that you may make changes, if needed, to stay within budget guidelines.


Trade journal ads

Journal and trade publications are useful to attract individuals with specialized skill sets who practice in that field. Deadlines for journals and trade publications vary by publication and generally publish only bimonthly or quarterly. Many have lengthy lead times for ad submission.


Other

E-mail and general word of mouth at professional conferences and seminars can often be the most effective recruiting method. Prior to attendance at these conferences, you should develop handouts that describe the job and explain the application procedures. Contact departmental colleagues to take your handouts to their conferences. There is often a bulletin board area designated for advertising vacancies in the professional field.

Last reviewed July 2007