There are many wrong ways to advertise job opening and vacancy, and the example below is one of them. This is one of the recent job adverts posted by a company in one of the very popular online recruitment websites in Malaysia. You can probably guess which one but that is not the main point of discussion.

This is not an attempt to criticize, defame or make fun of other people’s blunder but rather pinpointing how some mistakes can prove to be degrading to both results and reputation of the advertiser.

The company claimed to have “more than 15 years experience across a broad range of industries and service sectors” but the way the advertisement was written and represented is not at all consistent with the statement. First, looking at the job title will leave anyone reading it to wonder, for a while, what the job is all about. There seems to be too much information cramped into one space.

There is the ‘Global Support Executive’ part, which sounds quite usual for a job title, but then there is also “Securities, Trade Finance & Money Market” and it does not finish there. “5 days - Training Provided” ensued and finally it ends with “SPM”. While the ‘SPM’ part would lead us to believe that SPM leavers can apply for the job, the requirement tells you otherwise - i.e. the candidates must have at least a Diploma.

How are you going to digest this? If the advertiser is attempting to capture job seekers through the search feature by plucking too many keywords than I would suggest the person to contact the online recruitment company and learn how the search methodology and keyword stuffing really works.

Next, putting “Full training will be provided!!!” is such a irresponsible act of explaining the job responsibility. It sounds clumsy, arrogant (with the exclamation marks) and describes an act of desperation. Other blunders for you to see will include -obvious spelling mistakes, use of unprofessional email address (which reflects the non-existence of a proper company website) and asking for photo (More than 90% of job advertisements ask for photo. This must stop - most positions, except when you’re presenting for a TV station and such, do not require the candidates to submit photos).

NO FEES or COMMISSION TO BE CHARGED - this is the first time I saw advertiser putting this phrase. I wonder they have been guilty in the past for doing such a thing?

And by the way, do you happen to know where Cryber Jaya is? Couldn’t see it on the map.

Other posts you may want to read:

1. Why You Don’t Need Photo In Your Resume
2. JobStreet.com To Enter Indochina
3. Still a Long Way for StarJobs Online
4. Resume Tip: How to Self Assess Your Resume
5. Finding Job Effortlessly Using A Job Search Site