This is Why Your Job Ad is Scaring Off the Right People

A long, overly detailed job ad failed to connect with the right candidates. The ad had everything — paragraphs of role description, a laundry list of tasks, and even a bit of company backstory. But despite all the words, it wasn’t attracting the right kind of attention.

That’s where we stepped in.

The Problem: Too Many Words, Not Enough Clarity

It’s a common mistake. Business owners try to be thorough, thinking more details will lead to better applicants. But too often, long-winded job ads bury the real message under unnecessary explanations, confusing structure, or unclear expectations.

Here’s what we noticed:

• The key responsibilities were hidden in blocks of text.
• The overall job ad felt stiff and overly formal.
• It wasn’t easy to scan especially for busy applicants scrolling on their phone.
• It didn’t make the right applicants feel like, “Yes, this job is for me.”

The Fix: Clear, Direct, and Applicant-Focused

First, we simplified the structure by breaking it down into short sections. Each with clear headlines to make it easier to digest. The new version was skimmable so applicants could quickly spot key details like the role and requirements without getting lost in long paragraphs.

We also made sure to focus only on what truly mattered. That meant cutting out the fluff. We shifted the tone to be more conversational. Less corporate, so it spoke directly to the kind of people the client actually wanted to hire.

The Results: Instant Uplift in Applicants

The results were immediate! What started with just one applicant turned into dozens after the rewrite. There was a clear uptick in qualified responses. In the end, we hired someone who turned out to be a perfect fit.

It wasn’t magic. It was just a smarter, better-written job ad.

If your job post isn’t attracting the right candidates, the issue might not be where you’re posting — it might be how you’re saying it. Ask yourself: Are the most important details easy to find? Are you writing with your ideal candidate in mind? Are you making the ad clear, not just thorough?

These small shifts in how you present the opportunity can have a major impact on the quality and volume of applicants you receive.

Need Help With That?

At Smart VA Staffing, we help business owners simplify and systemize their hiring — from job ad rewrites to full-cycle recruitment support.

Want more applicants who are actually qualified? Let’s tighten up your job ad and attract the right talent.

To get started, simply send us a description of the job you need to get done. Tell us if you think it is, a full-time, part-time, or short-term project. We will then get back to you as quickly as we can with a cost estimate and a timeline.