Filters
Advertisements should demand neither more nor less than the qualifications and skills necessary to fulfil the requirements of the post as contained in the job description and the selection criteria, and bearing in mind its grade.The essential selection criteria form the basis of the filters within your advert. Filters are vital pieces of information within your advert which enable potential applicants to decide whether to apply for a job. Filters relate directly to your selection criteria and can be broken down into tangible and intangible filters:
Tangible filters are definite attributes – e.g. qualifications, specific experience or achievements, membership of a professional body. The candidate either has them or not – it is not a matter of opinion or judgement.
Intangible filters are character traits and personal qualities, the presence of which could be perceived differently by the applicants and selection panel.
Your advert should focus on tangible filters as these will enable a potential applicant to decide that they should not pursue an application. The inclusion of intangible filters should be carefully considered as these are unlikely to affect your response and may simply increase the size and cost of the advert.