Mastering Indeed: Best Practices and Common Mistakes Explored

One big mistake employers make when posting jobs on Indeed is not understanding how the platform works.

 min. read
July 13, 2023

Identifying the perfect candidates is the most challenging part of the fast-paced talent acquisition and recruitment world. Yet, with the help of digital platforms like Indeed, the process has become more streamlined and accessible. 

Still, many small business owners need help to leverage the full potential of Indeed, often making common mistakes that hinder their recruiting efforts. In this article, we delve into the nuances of optimizing Indeed job posts, exploring best practices, and shedding light on the most prevalent errors so you learn that Indeed is Indeed a lot easier than it seems

dominate indeed master class

The Indeed Whisperer: An Expert's Insight

To guide us through this subject, we have the privilege of interviewing Jim Durbin, the Indeed Whisperer. Durbin has earned this moniker due to his extensive experience and deep understanding of maximizing the impact of job postings on Indeed. With a background in staffing and recruiting, Durbin has honed his expertise by testing and analyzing campaigns across various industries. His insights into the world of job boards and algorithms have made him a sought-after authority in the field.

WATCH JIM DURBIN INTERVIEW HERE

Understanding the Common Mistakes

According to Durbin, one big mistake employers make when posting jobs on Indeed is not understanding how the platform works. They think it is just a search engine, which can lead to undesirable results. Instead, employers need to use Indeed with a clear goal in mind. They should learn how to use the website, know how much it costs, and understand what to do when posting a job.

Another common pitfall, Durbin explains, is expecting instant results akin to online shopping experiences. Unlike e-commerce platforms, recruiting on Indeed requires a deeper understanding of its dynamics. Employers often underestimate the time, effort, and testing required to optimize their campaigns. Durbin emphasizes that success on Indeed is not about finding the correct answer but understanding what works best for each unique situation.

indeed clear goal in mind

The Importance of Quality and Deliberation:

Durbin shares valuable insights regarding the significance of quality over quantity in the recruitment process. While it may be tempting to focus solely on generating a high volume of applications, he argues that prioritizing quality yields better results, especially in a competitive job market. Durbin proposes a balanced approach, where employers carefully review each application, assess qualifications, and evaluate whether candidates meet their specific requirements.

Even though quality exceeds quantity, there's always a better way to sort out the right candidates smartly. Pipehire's proprietary software helps you streamline the screening process and find the right candidate in a snap. Try it free. 

Indeed: In or Out? 

How To Redirect Applications From Indeed To Pipehire

One of the users' most striking questions is whether to keep applicants in Indeed or send them to a different landing page. To this, Durbin explains, job landing pages have varying utility. Although applying directly through platforms like Indeed is convenient, assessing if applicants invest sufficient time and effort is vital. 
Employers can balance speed and quality by exploring both options—external landing pages and direct applications through Indeed.

Is your application landing attractive enough to new applicants? Are you struggling to find the right candidates for your cleaning business? Discover the strategies to attract the right applicants with simple but essential ideas.The importance of the jobs or career page landing page versus directing applicants to apply directly on job boards like Indeed depends on several factors. 

balance speed and quality

Let's consider both perspectives:


1. Jobs or Career Page Landing Page: Having a well-designed and informative landing page on your website for job offers and careers is a business need for several reasons:

Branding and Company Culture: A dedicated landing page allows you to showcase your company's values, culture, mission, and unique selling points. It helps create a strong employer brand and attract candidates who align with your organization's values.

Detailed Job Information: A landing page provides the opportunity to provide comprehensive details about the job, including responsibilities, requirements, benefits, compensation, and more.

This can help potential applicants make informed decisions about whether to apply.

Control and Customization: With a landing page, you have complete control over the content, layout, and user experience. You can tailor the page to match your company's branding and optimize it for conversions, making it more engaging and persuasive for applicants.

Relationship Building: A landing page allows you to establish a direct connection with applicants. You can include contact information or application forms that enable candidates to reach out or express their interest directly to your company.

By driving paid traffic to your landing page/job offer form via job boards, you ensure you own an accurate online database of applicant information. The information collected is stored under your wings so that you can access applicant data without any restrictions - Juan Chaparro

2. Applying Directly on Job Boards: While job boards like Indeed offer convenience and broad reach, there are some considerations to keep in mind:

Applicant Convenience: Some candidates prefer the convenience of applying directly on job boards as it allows them to manage their applications in one place. They may be more familiar with the application process on job boards and find it easier to submit their resumes.

Job Board Audience: Job boards attract a broad audience actively searching for job opportunities. By posting on job boards, you can reach a larger pool of applicants who may not have been aware of your company or visited your website otherwise.

In summary, both options have their advantages. It is recommended to balance driving traffic to your jobs or career page landing page by utilizing job boards.

Use your landing page to convey your employer brand and provide comprehensive information while leveraging job boards to expand your reach and attract a wider applicant pool. 

By driving paid traffic to your landing page/job offer form via job boards, you ensure you own an accurate online database of applicant information. The information collected is stored under your wings so that you can access applicant data without any restrictions.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific recruitment goals, target audience, and the resources available to your business.

create a dedicated landing page

Best Practices for Small Business Owners:

Durbin provides three essential best practices for small business owners to optimize their Indeed accounts and job posts:

Understand your budget: Employers must clearly understand their budget and determine the maximum amount they can spend without compromising their desired results. This requires careful planning and risk assessment.

Review applications promptly: With the cost-per-application model, prompt review and evaluation of each applicant are crucial. Failure to do so may result in unnecessary charges. Staying on top of the review process ensures optimal return on investment and avoids missing out on potentially qualified candidates.

Focus on quality over quantity: Rather than chasing a high volume of applications, prioritizing quality is essential, particularly in a competitive job market. Employers should dedicate time to thoroughly review applications, assess qualifications, and evaluate whether candidates meet their requirements. Striking a balance between efficiency and thoroughness is vital.

In a Nutshell: 

Indeed is a relatively easy platform to learn and use if you understand your budget, focus on quality over quantity, and quickly review applications.

The website is well-designed and easy to navigate, and the search functionality is robust. Several resources are available to help users learn how to use Indeed effectively, including the Indeed Help Center and the Indeed blog.

Here are some tips on how to learn Indeed quickly:

  • Start by browsing the Indeed Help Center. This is an excellent resource for learning about the basics of Indeed, such as how to search for jobs, create a profile, and apply for jobs.
  • Read the Indeed blog. The Indeed blog is a great way to stay up-to-date on Indeed's latest features and functionality.
  • Watch the Indeed video tutorials. The Indeed video tutorials are a great way to learn how to use Indeed step-by-step.
  • Experiment with the Indeed features. The best way to learn Indeed is to experiment with the different features and see how they work.

Hey, before you go, if you're planning on hiring and growing your headcount and revenue for your home service business, check out pipehirehrm.com

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Dominate Indeed Master Class by Juan Chaparro - The ultimate Master Class for Cleaning Business owners to dominate their own Indeed account.

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