There have always been conflicting opinions on the importance of showing the salary in a job advertisement. So, we thought that we would get to the bottom of things. In a recent poll on LinkedIn (if you haven’t connected with us over there, what are you waiting for?) we asked candidates if they were more likely to apply for a role if the salary is shown. It’s safe to say that the answer was clear.

Are Candidates More Likely to Apply for a Role if the Salary is Shown?

An impressive 98% of people asked said that they would be more likely to apply for a role if the salary was clearly shown, and this doesn’t come as a surprise. After all, how many candidates want to spend time applying for a position, only to then find that it’s actually paying less than their current salary? It could be enough to put the ideal candidate off, sending them elsewhere and towards jobs with clear information about the expected pay.

Salary is often what makes a job stand out to top talent, so keeping this information hidden can be detrimental to a hiring business. But, there are also some advantages to excluding salary information. Though salary is one of the first things that a job seeker looks for when applying for a role, keeping this information back does mean that there is some room for negotiation for individuals with the right skills and experience.

Should You Be Including Salary in Your Job Ads?

If you are transparent about the salary that you are offering, you increase the chances of appealing to a diverse group of candidates. With research from the Fawcett Society showing that 60% of women believe that they are earning less than male counterparts, being honest and open about the salary is an effective way of appealing to female talent. A lot of industries are dealing with a gender pay gap, and so women want to know that they will be working for an employer who is offering a fair wage.

Stating a salary – or a salary range, if it’s dependent on experience – shows that you are an honest and transparent business. This paints you in a positive light. There’s a lot of bias in the recruitment process, and some groups of people are more likely to successfully negotiate a higher wage. With the salary clearly displayed, everyone has an equal chance of securing the same wage. This reduces the chances of people being paid differently, even though they are doing the same job.

With almost all candidates more likely to apply for roles that advertise the salary, including this information in your job advertisement is a fantastic way to stand out and make a positive statement as an employer.

For further insight on how to attract and retain the top talent, partner with Cherry Professional.