Recruiting the right person for your business can feel like a full-time job on its own, especially in a regional city like Cairns. In regional and remote areas, talent pools are often smaller, and the competition for skilled employees is high. Whether you’re filling a trade role, a professional position, or something in between, your approach to promoting a vacancy makes all the difference. It’s not just about filling a seat quickly; it’s about attracting the right fit who can contribute to your business for the long term.

Based on our 25+ years of experience, we’ve compiled some guidance on advertising your vacancy in Cairns to achieve the best results.

Sourcing the right candidate

Before you hit “publish” on your job ad, take the time to define precisely who you’re looking for. Think beyond the job title and delve into what specific skills, experience, and values will make someone thrive in your workplace.

For example, a customer-facing role in hospitality may require strong interpersonal skills, while a specialised trade job may need specific qualifications and hands-on experience. Just as importantly, consider cultural fit: will this person align with your company values and team environment?

When you’re clear about the type of candidate you need, you’ll know where to place your ad and how to position it.

Utilise the right channels

Not all candidates are active in the same places. A “one size fits all” approach to recruitment rarely works. Instead, think about where your ideal candidate spends their time and tailor your advertising accordingly.

• Trades and blue-collar roles: These candidates are often found on platforms like Seek, Gumtree, and local Facebook community groups.
• Professional roles: LinkedIn is a key channel here, along with Seek and Indeed.
• Hospitality and seasonal work: Facebook pages, word-of-mouth, and community noticeboards are often more effective than corporate job sites.

By spreading your net across multiple channels, you increase your chances of being seen by the right people. It also shows candidates that you’re active and serious about recruitment, rather than relying on a single platform to do the heavy lifting.

Showcase your employer brand

In today’s job market, candidates are looking for more than just a pay cheque. They want to work with a business that reflects their values and offers a positive work environment. This is where your employer brand comes in.

Think about what makes your business attractive to employees: is it your team culture, flexible hours, career development opportunities, or involvement in the local Cairns community? Highlight these in your job ad and across your social channels.

Don’t underestimate the power of storytelling. Sharing staff testimonials, photos of your team in action, or examples of community involvement helps potential candidates picture themselves working with you. In a close-knit region like Cairns, authenticity is everything; word travels fast, so make sure your reputation as an employer is strong and consistent.

Activate your employee networks

Your current employees can be one of your most effective recruitment tools. After all, they understand your workplace culture and know the type of colleague who would fit in best. Encouraging your team to share the vacancy within their networks can open doors to candidates you may not reach through traditional advertising.

Some businesses even formalise this with a referral program, offering incentives for successful hires. But even without a formal system, a genuine endorsement from a team member can go a long way in persuading the right person to apply.

Cast your net strategically

Recruitment is like fishing: the way you cast your net determines the quality of your catch. If you throw it out at random, you may pull in the wrong fit. But with a strategic approach where you choose the right channels, timing your advertising, and refining your message, you’ll reel in candidates who are not just qualified, but aligned with your business goals.

A data-driven mindset helps here. Track where your applicants are coming from and which channels deliver the best results. Over time, this allows you to fine-tune your recruitment strategy, saving you time and money while improving the quality of hires.

Write a stand-out job advertisement

Even the best recruitment strategy will fall flat if your job ad doesn’t stand out. A strong advertisement is your first impression, so make it count.

Here are some best practice tips:

• Headline with impact: Use a clear, engaging title that reflects the role and entices candidates to click.
• Keep it concise: Outline the key responsibilities and expectations without overwhelming detail.
• Highlight the benefits: Go beyond salary. Mention lifestyle perks (especially relevant in Cairns), flexible arrangements, training opportunities, or career progression.
• Call-to-action: Be specific about how to apply and include a deadline to create urgency.

To make this easier, our website includes a free resource, “How to Write a Killer Job Ad”, which offers a step-by-step template you can adapt for any role.

All sounds too hard?

Advertising your vacancy in Cairns isn’t just about putting a job ad online and waiting for the applications to roll in. If you don’t have the time or skills to put together a cohesive recruitment strategy, our team of recruitment experts can help.

If you have a vacancy that needs to be filled, contact the team at Signature Staff.