How to post job ads on LinkedIn: A step-by-step guide for HR managers

LinkedIn is not just a networking hub anymore. With over 900 million users (and counting), it’s the go-to platform for hiring top talent, making it an invaluable resource for HR professionals worldwide. If you’re looking to attract candidates who match your organisation’s skills, culture, and goals, LinkedIn is where you need to be.

But how do you post a job ad that doesn’t just get noticed but actually drives quality applicants? Whether you’re new to LinkedIn or ready to optimise your current approach, this guide will break it down step-by-step to give you a clear path to success.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to create an engaging job post that resonates with qualified talent, what LinkedIn features to leverage, and how Compono’s platform can complement your strategy for an even more streamlined hiring process.

Why LinkedIn matters for hiring

LinkedIn is the largest professional networking platform, attracting everyone from junior professionals to senior executives. Here’s why it should be at the core of your hiring strategy for 2025 and 2026:

• Higher Application Rates: Job ads on LinkedIn have a 50% higher application rate compared to other platforms, making a significant impact on your hiring ROI.

• Precise Targeting: LinkedIn lets you reach specific demographics, industries, and roles, so you can ensure your job ads appear in front of the right candidates.

• Professional Credibility: LinkedIn’s status as a professional network means candidates trust the platform. It’s a powerful place to showcase your employer brand.

• Talent Beyond Job Boards: 73% of professionals value thought leadership content on LinkedIn, meaning many potential hires are already on the platform reading, engaging, and learning—even if they’re not actively job hunting.

Step-by-step guide to posting job ads on LinkedIn

Follow these steps to post a job ad that stands out and attracts the right talent.

1. Create or log into your LinkedIn business account

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn business account, now’s the time to create one. Why? It not only allows you to post jobs but also helps establish your company's presence on LinkedIn. Just click ‘Create a Company Page’ and follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Navigate to the job posting page

Once you’re logged in, click on the ‘Jobs’ icon at the top of your homepage and select ‘Post a Job.’ This page serves as your hub for everything recruitment-related.

3. Fill in job details

Here’s where you need to shine. Enter the following details thoughtfully and concisely:

• Job Title: Use clear, common titles that candidates will actually search for. Avoid internal jargon.

• Job Location: Even if the role is remote, consider listing the city where your company is based for better targeting.

• Job Description: This is your chance to outline the role, key responsibilities, and qualifications. Keep it concise but engaging. Research shows job ads between 300–600 words often perform best. Don’t forget to include something about your company culture too!

Pro Tip 🛠️

Use Compono’s job description builder to save time while ensuring your ad meets industry best practices. Access pre-built templates or tweak one based on your organisation’s unique needs.

4. Choose your job’s visibility and budget

Decide how wide you want your job post’s reach to be. LinkedIn gives you two main options:

• Free Job Posting: Great for roles that aren’t super urgent or don’t require niche expertise. It may attract fewer applications but still ensures decent visibility.

• Promoted Job Posting: For time-sensitive or specialised roles, paying to promote your job ad is well worth it. Set your daily budget and duration, and LinkedIn will prioritise your posting in front of qualified candidates.

5. Review and publish

Triple-check everything before hitting ‘Post Job.’ Look at your job description, qualifications listed, and even spelling/grammar (Outwrite, anyone?). The more polished your job ad looks, the better it will resonate with candidates.

Feeling unsure if your ad is hitting the mark? Test drive Compono’s talent profiling tools to understand exactly who will be the best match for your role before publishing.

6. Track applications and optimise performance

Once your ad is live, monitor its performance in LinkedIn’s ‘Manage Job Posts’ section. Keep an eye on metrics like click-through rates (CTR) and application rates.

To gain advanced insights, consider using Compono’s recruitment analytics, which provide detailed reports on ROI, source performance (e.g., LinkedIn vs. other channels), and even time-to-hire metrics. These tools can help you fine-tune your approach for even better results.

Tips for crafting high-performing LinkedIn job ads

• Use Keywords Naturally: Include relevant industry and role-specific keywords in your job title and description to increase your ad’s searchability.

• Highlight Company Culture: More candidates than ever consider cultural fit before applying for roles. Be sure to mention your core values and unique work environment.

• Add a Clear Call-to-Action: Encourage candidates to apply by specifying the next steps. Example: "Click 'Apply' now for a chance to join our dynamic marketing team!"

• Leverage LinkedIn’s Features: From targeting options to employee advocacy, use all that LinkedIn offers to give your job ad added visibility.

Common challenges and how to overcome them

Even with a platform as powerful as LinkedIn, posting job ads comes with its own challenges. Here’s how to tackle them like a pro.

1. High Competition: With so many companies posting on LinkedIn, standing out can be tough. Use creative job titles and engaging visuals to draw attention.

2. Budget Constraints: If funding a promoted job ad isn’t feasible, focus on writing a high-converting free ad, placing extra emphasis on the job title and description.

3. Vague Job Descriptions: Unclear roles lead to unqualified applications. Compono’s job description builder can help you craft ads that get better matches.

4. Data Insights Overload: Not sure which metrics to prioritise? Use Compono’s analytics to identify meaningful insights like CTR and application rates to guide your decisions.

Where Compono shines in LinkedIn hiring

While LinkedIn excels at connecting HR managers with quality talent, Compono makes the process even easier.

1. Pre-built Templates: Whether you’re searching for a marketing guru or a customer support pro, browse from 200+ templates designed by recruitment experts.
2. Talent Pool Integration: Before even publishing your LinkedIn ad, tap into Compono’s pre-curated candidate database to find a shortlist of applicants who are already a perfect fit.
3. Recruitment Analytics: Understand the ROI of your ads across LinkedIn and other platforms, and hone your strategy accordingly.
4. Cultural Fit Benchmarking: Ensure each LinkedIn applicant aligns with your company’s unique culture through Compono’s predictive people science tools.

Make your LinkedIn ads work harder

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful places to post job openings, but the best results come from combining its tools with smart strategies.

By writing compelling job descriptions, leveraging data insights, and tapping into AI-powered solutions like Compono, you’ll be able to attract better candidates faster.