In January, the Wall Street Journal reported on the flood of employment scams that add insult to injury for those who were laid off, and job seekers in general, in 2023. In fact, Job scams surged by 250 percent during the first quarter of 2023, nearly tripling in comparison to the corresponding period in 2022.
The rise of these scams should only compel reputable startups to take their online presence seriously. A well-crafted careers page is your startup’s virtual front door for prospective employees—who may be seriously jaded by past experiences.
In this blog, we’ll explore what startups should include on their careers page to make it both informative and appealing and, most importantly, legitimize their mission and operations to job seekers.
Career page elements to consider
- Compelling company story: Start by telling your startup’s story. Share the origin, mission, and vision of your company. Explain what sets your startup apart from the competition and why someone would want to be a part of it. Use engaging language and visuals to bring your story to life. This is an opportunity to showcase your startup’s culture and values.
- Job postings: This is the core of your careers page. Clearly list all current job openings. Include essential details like job title, location, responsibilities, qualifications, and any specific skills or experience required. Make it easy for candidates to apply by including a clear “Apply Now” button or link for each position.
- Company culture and values: Highlight your startup’s culture and values. Explain what it’s like to work at your company. Use employee testimonials, photos, and videos to provide a glimpse into daily life at your startup. This helps candidates determine if they align with your company’s ethos.
- Benefits and perks: Outline your startup’s benefits and perks. This can include health insurance, flexible work hours, remote work options, stock options, or unique perks like catered lunches or gym memberships. Highlighting these benefits can attract candidates seeking a well-rounded compensation package.
- Career growth opportunities: Emphasize the opportunities for career growth within your startup. Explain how employees can progress in their roles and what training or development programs are available. Demonstrating a commitment to employee growth can attract ambitious candidates.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion: In today’s job market, diversity and inclusion are essential considerations for many job seekers. Share your startup’s efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. Highlight initiatives, employee resource groups, or partnerships promoting diversity and inclusion.
- Application process: Clearly outline your application process. Explain what candidates can expect after they submit an application, such as interview steps and timelines. Providing transparency here can help candidates feel more at ease.
- Contact information: Include contact information or a contact form for inquiries or support related to job applications. This ensures that candidates can easily reach out with questions or concerns.
- Employee testimonials: Feature testimonials from current employees. Let them share their experiences working at your startup. Genuine testimonials can provide valuable insights and build trust with potential candidates.
- Company news and updates: Keep your careers page fresh by regularly updating it with company news, achievements, and insights. This shows that your startup is active and continually growing.
- Social media links: Include links to your startup’s social media profiles. Candidates often research companies on social media to get a sense of their culture and activities.
- Mobile optimization: Ensure that your careers page is mobile-friendly. Many job seekers use mobile devices to browse and apply for jobs, so a responsive design is crucial.
- Legal and compliance information: Include any necessary legal information, such as equal opportunity employer statements, privacy policies, and terms of use.
- Engagement opportunities: Provide options for candidates to engage with your startup beyond applying for jobs. This could include signing up for a newsletter, attending virtual events, or joining talent communities.
Best practice examples
The following are three best practice careers page examples.
Stockbit: Stockbit does a great job incorporating many of the abovementioned elements, outlining their documented successes, and looping in real employee experiences to demonstrate what prospective employees can expect should they join the team. The user experience is very scrollable and easy to ingest, reflecting a clearly defined employer brand.
TestGorilla: It’s no secret that remote work is one of the top perks—dare we say, requirements—that startup job seekers look for as they search. TestGorilla’s careers page begins with their remote work ethos, emphasizing their investment into remote work and what it looks like for their existing team.
General Mills: General Mills is so dedicated to their employer brand that they created an entire site that outlines their employee experience, including their values, mission, and exactly what employees can expect, should they join.
Don’t have the resources for a careers page?
While you may not have the resources to build out a dedicated site to attract job seekers, you can incorporate some of these elements in your social media and job board—CareerBuilder, Craigslist, Indeed, LinkedIn, or ZipRecruiter—posts.
Conclusion
A well-designed careers page is essential for attracting top talent to your startup. It should reflect your company’s values, culture, and mission while providing clear information about job opportunities and benefits. Remember that this page is often the first impression potential employees have of your startup, so invest the time and effort to make it informative, engaging, and appealing. With a compelling careers page, you can attract the right talent to help your startup thrive and grow.
