You’ve written the job ad. It’s live. You’re hoping for the right candidates to roll in.
But what happens next?
This is the moment many campaigns lose momentum, not because the role isn’t right, but because we assume the hard part is over. In reality, what you do after the job ad goes live can be the difference between great hires and underwhelming results.
Here’s what to keep an eye on in that crucial first week and what to tweak if things don’t go to plan.
1. Monitor early performance daily (yes, daily)
Most campaigns gain the majority of traction in the first 48-72 hours. That means your best window for optimisation is also your shortest.
Look out for:
- Number of views vs applications
- Drop-off mid-apply
- Quality of early applicants
If you’re seeing high views but low applies, it’s a red flag – either the job ad isn’t resonating, or the apply process is too long.
2. Check where your traffic is coming from
Not all platforms behave the same. If your job is posted across multiple sources, see which one is actually driving applications.
Ask:
- Is your best source getting enough budget or visibility?
- Is Direct Apply switched on where it matters?
- Are aggregators helping or hurting your candidate experience?
3. Revisit the job ad itself
Sometimes it’s not about platforms or budget. It’s about how the ad reads.
Quick wins:
- Is the headline clear and human?
- Does the intro hook the reader?
- Have you told them what’s in it for them?
- Are you avoiding long lists of generic responsibilities?
It’s amazing what a few copy tweaks can do.
4. Don’t repost too soon
If performance is slow, it’s tempting to take the ad down and start fresh. But reposting too frequently can hurt visibility and confuse tracking.
Instead:
- Optimise the original ad first
- Shift budget if needed
- Wait 5-7 days before considering a repost
5. Review cost vs return
This is where things can get fuzzy. Applications are great, but do they match the brief?
Ask yourself:
- Are these the right kinds of candidates?
- How much did each application cost?
- Did the ad drive brand awareness or just numbers?
Sometimes fewer, better applications are worth more than 50 irrelevant ones.
Final thought
Posting the job isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting block.
If you treat it like a campaign, not just a task, you’ll give your job ad the best chance to do its job properly.
And if you’re not sure what’s working (or what’s not), we’re always here to take a look.
