How do you optimise your vacancies page for more applications?

Labour market shortage: Why do some companies keep attracting applicants?

The labour market shortage affects many Dutch businesses, yet some organisations continue to receive applications with ease. What are they doing differently with their vacancies pages? And do you really need to hire a recruitment agency, or can you apply the right strategy yourself?

Let me clear up the myth right away: there is no simple formula that suddenly gets you 100 applicants per vacancy. The solution is not black and white and requires a well thought out approach.

Although a recruitment agency can help in the short term, it often does not solve the structural problem of receiving too few applications. The costs of such an agency can also be significant, while there is a lot you can do yourself to make your vacancies more appealing.

The power of an attractive website

A common reason why companies receive few applications is that their website simply is not attractive enough. Visitors looking for an exciting new job often are not convinced by the first impression. Just like in dating, those first few seconds are crucial. A well designed vacancies page can trigger someone to apply and may even help you find your next team member.

Easily scannable vacancy text

Writing a fun story is not enough. Many companies rely on clichés to present themselves as “the most fun company,” but this often falls flat. Candidates do not just want to read about a football table in the office or vague perks. What really matters is a text that is easy to scan. Clear headings, short paragraphs, and bullet points help potential applicants quickly determine whether the role suits them. Focus primarily on what you have to offer, rather than a long praise of the company itself.

Specific details are essential. Avoid vague statements like “you have room to grow” and be concrete instead: “You receive a monthly training budget of €500 for courses and development.”

Mention the salary

Many companies avoid mentioning the salary in their vacancy text. Yet research by Indeed shows that vacancies that include salary information receive up to 45 percent more applications. Despite internal politics, salary transparency is worth the effort. Not including it may cost you valuable candidates.

Visual impact

Another way to make your vacancies more appealing is to invest in visual content. Good atmosphere photos and team videos give potential candidates a behind the scenes look. With a relatively small investment in a professional photographer, you can create a set of high quality images. This not only boosts your vacancies pages but is also valuable for your social media and other marketing channels.

Let employees speak

Your best ambassadors are your own employees. Their stories are often much more authentic and convincing than any marketing copy. Add testimonials or short interviews to your vacancies page. Want to take it a step further? Consider creating videos in which employees share their experiences within the company.

Use micro animations to grab attention

Micro animations are subtle moving elements on your website that enhance the user experience. They naturally draw the visitor’s attention and make your website feel more dynamic. This is especially valuable when you only have a few seconds to capture the interest of a potential applicant.

By applying these strategies, you increase your chances of standing out in a competitive job market and attract more applicants without relying on expensive recruitment agencies. Want to know how to truly optimise your vacancies page and bring in more candidates? Get in touch with us and discover how we can help you.