Write The Perfect Want Ad

Writing the perfect want ad has a structure and  it follows The Golden Circle.  Why - How - What. 

First I asked rhetorical questions trying to connect my Why with the Why of those reading the ad.  My Why is to inspire people to do the things that inspire them so that, together, we can change the world. Anyone who doesn't want to change the world and who doesn't believe in the power of inspiration won't like working for me.  The title of my ad alone will appeal to those who do.

With a quick nod to what the job is, I explain exactly what it's like to work for me.  I'm honest about myself because I don't want any surprises and I don't want whoever gets the job to get something they weren't expecting either. 

How I wrote the ad automatically screened out most of the "bad fits," so I wasn't overwhelmed with responses.  And for the bad fits who did reply, it was easy for me to screen them out myself.  Most importantly, the ad appealed to the "good fits," and all the candidates I met were amazing.  I ended up hiring someone in less than a week she is fantastic.

Remember - there's no difference between customers or employees - people will either believe in what you believe and want to buy your products or they will believe in what you believe and want to work for you.  That they are a customer or an employee is merely a behavioral difference.   Either way, how you write your ad matters.

Good luck and feel free to email if you have any more questions.

Here is the actual ad I posted on Craig's list to hire a new personal assistant.

Do you believe you can change the world?

Do you believe the world needs a little more inspiration in it these days?

Do you want to help make the world a better place?

If so – I might want to meet you.

I’m looking for a personal assistant to help me on my quest. Everyday I wake up to find ways to inspire people to do the things that inspire them. I teach leaders and companies how to inspire people. I speak about it and write about it. But I can’t do it alone – I’m an organizational disaster – so I need help so that I can be as efficient and effective as possible.

There is no office, so you’ll be working virtually most of the time. You’ll have lots of flexibility and freedom with your schedule, so you can do other things – but I am not interested in someone who is a personal assistant to other people.

I travel a lot which means there is lots of scheduling that needs to get done – so you should be a super organized person.

And, as my personal assistant, I might ask for you to help with some personal errands too.

In a nutshell – I need a right-hand man (or woman)...I need a babysitter...I need someone who will help keep me organized and work with me to make this world a better place.

Can you help?

If you’re interested, drop me a note – tell me a little about you and we can set up some time to talk more.

Whoever will help me, I guarantee will help make this world a better place.

Thanks.

Comments

[Canvanliving]

So curious....who did you end up hiring????

[rocky smith]

A very Impressive and detailed post. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful and important information. Check for more latest job openings Contact Us @ CelebrateJobs

[Toni Sharay Logan]

I would say that I am "looking for a job," but in reality, I am looking for my purpose in a workplace setting.

I haven't found many ads that are honest and fill me with an immediate, "let's do this!" feeling despite the difficulties mentioned. I'd respond immediately and with glee, if the position were still available. Since it is not...I will share this link with friends and family and hope more people follow your example! :)

[alvin wayne weiss]

Wow! This "hits the nail on the head" for me. I will try this approach today via Craigslist and share my results with you. I am tired of reading resumes that list skill sets but tell me nothing about the passion of an individual. I like your "WHY" video the best - what, how, why - and am applying it daily.

[Suzy Pierce]

More great information - Loved the enthusiasm in your video! We are currently looking for new clients, so I suppose it would work the same for an ad for business? I want to attract clients for our decorative painting business. I want to keep the ad simple. I need help.

[Kenny Schiff]

I'm very glad to have seen your EO talk last night and I'm continued to play with the some of the ideas/concepts you spoke about and reconciling in my mind how what can work for Apple or Southwest would apply to an SMB.

Your hiring story very much resonated with me, and I've used a similar approach over the last few years and done very well by it. I've hired 6 people via Craig's list ads, all of which encouraged the "right fit." It's a beautiful thing to get results from these free ads, especially given that poor results one might get from Monster (@ $385 for a single post).

Here's an excerpt from an ad that I've used multiple times with great success.

"Ideal candidate has completely flexible time schedule, and is not looking for full-time day-time work. You are someone who wouldn't mind doing interesting work, making decent money, on a potentially inconsistent basis (sometimes there will be a lot work, sometimes not too much). Tech-savvy musicians are encouraged to apply (we already have 3 on staff), also early retirees and empty nesters."

For an administrative job, we added this at the end:

"Our ideal person would be a grad student, an empty-nester, or someone returning to the workplace."

Because we've opened the door to unconventional workers, the results have been phenomenal.

So I resoundingly endorse your approach, as the quality of people who have come in via the self-selection process (attracted to our "Why") is amazing.