Tips to help you attract new employees more effectively

1. Create your wish list

Before you discuss the look of an ad, take the time to determine job requirements, compensation levels, and the experience you require from a new attendant. This information will be the foundation of your job posting, and will also help you develop a checklist for grading candidates.

2. How/where will you advertise?

When selecting a publication, newsletter or website to distribute your ad, be sure it’s reaching the people you want to attract. Advertising through the Human Resources and Skills Development (HRDC) job bank, Kijiji or Craigslist are also good ways to advertise. Similarly a well-placed ad in your local grocery store, community centre, church or college can sometimes find good, local candidates. Of course there is always the local community newspaper where you might place an ad, since it would also target your local population.

3. Make an offer they can’t refuse

The written copy in a recruiting ad should tell attendants why they would want this job in the first place. Example: Work with a great employer one on one, in a more personal setting with flexible hours and training provided. You might also try using an opening line that catches the reader’s attention then you can go on to describe the job, for example: “Looking for part-time work? Job opening available for a personal attendant to assist with… “

4. Help them find you

Ensure that every advertisement includes a direct way to contact you, by telephone, e-mail and/or fax. It’s not normally recommended to disclose your address in the ad but it’s a good idea to give a main intersection or part of the city in which you live.

5. Track the results

Ask the interested candidates to mention how they heard about the opening so you know which method of advertising brought you the best results.

6. Acknowledge applicants

If someone has taken the time to apply for the job, be sure to acknowledge that you have received their application. Someone who isn’t qualified for an existing position may still become a future employee.

What to Include in a Job Ad

Job ads for attendants often include the following kinds of information:

• Work times (part-time or full-time, time of day, weekdays, weekends).
• Your gender and that of the attendant you prefer (while you may not discriminate based on any of the normally prohibited grounds of the Ontario Human Rights Code, you may select an attendant of a particular gender because of the exception for persons needing intimate personal assistance)
• Duties (helping with personal assistance, household tasks, cooking, etc.).
• Wages and conditions of employment
• Where and how to apply
• Qualifications required can also be included (level of education, work experience, particular skills, personality traits).

Online Advertisements

• Make sure your subject line is clear and concise.
• Example: SEEKING PART-TIME PERSONAL ATTENDANT
• Briefly describe your needs.
• Example: “Professional woman with spinal cord injury seeks attendant to assist with overnight personal care two weekends per month.” 

You may include details such as:

• Brief job description
• Pay
• Days and hours
• Experience required
• Additional requirements: (Example: must be have a valid Ontario driver’s licence or must be comfortable around young children)
• Location
• Perks (clean and safe work environment)
• Additional Information (no smoking, scent-free environment)
• Start date
• Contact Information (Email and/or phone)

Where to Advertise:

HRDC Job Bank

The Job Bank is the Government of Canada’s website for job listings. It is a free service that allows applicants to search for jobs in the field they are looking for. People looking for jobs in Canada and from overseas also tend to use the Job Bank. Here are a couple things to keep in mind:

• They only allow a certain number of characters in their advertisements
• It may take HRDC several days to post an advertisement, because it has to be translated into French

Online classifieds

Websites like Kijiji and Craigslist also offer a free space to advertise. These have been effective resources for many Self-Managers, but are not as well known as the Job Bank.

Post ads in your community

Some people have had success by posting an ad in places like the local grocery store, community centre, or church bulletin. If you have a local college or university nearby, students are often a good resource since they are usually looking for part-time work. Some participants have even had luck advertising at local hospitals or long-term care facilities where personal support workers may have only part-time hours. These workers may not be familiar with the broad range of duties you might require of them (assistance with routine activities of daily living is allowed under the exceptions to the “controlled acts” restricted by the Regulated Health Professions Act.)

Place an ad in your local newspaper

Local newspapers can be good places to advertise since they reach a specific population. Print ads are now more expensive than they used to be so you have to be mindful of the cost and keep the ad very short.

Job Advertisement Examples

Need help creating your first job advertisement? Here are a few examples you can use.

Sample 1

Personal Care Attendant required Weekend Mornings

Disabled/frail family man requires assistance with weekend morning routine: washing, dressing, transfer, breakfast, etc.

Location: Yonge/Bloor, Toronto
Hours: Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to approx. 12:30 p.m., and Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to approx. 12:30 p.m. Attendants are welcome to apply for one or both days (please specify in your application which day(s) you are applying for).

Experience is an asset, but training will be provided. Paid by cheque only (no cash). No fragrances, please.
Please email resume to: XXX@gmail.com
Compensation: $15.55/hour
This is a part-time job.

Sample 2

Senior, physically disabled female requires a mature, reliable and diligent female personal attendant to assist with activities of daily living including personal grooming/hygiene, meal preparation and house cleaning. PSW an asset but not required. Part time only, approximately 3-4 hours a day (mornings), 3-4 days a week. Please send resume with contact information. 

Location: Beamsville
Compensation: Starting rate to be discussed at interview.
This is a part-time job.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.