The benefits of mentioning a salary indication in job ads

I am currently supporting an organisation with recruitment and I am dealing with a job advertisement that did not mention a salary indication. The result? A huge number of interested parties, many of whom I now have to disappoint because the salary does not match their expectations. This not only causes frustration among the candidates – who have invested their time in applying and writing a motivation – but also creates a negative image of the organisation. This experience emphasises once again how important it is to be transparent about the salary in job advertisements.

In this blog you can read why mentioning a salary indication is so important, what the benefits are for both job seekers and employers and why many companies still do not do it.

Why a salary indication in job advertisements?

Mentioning a salary indication in job advertisements is becoming increasingly important. In a time when transparency is a top priority, job seekers want to know what to expect before they apply. However, many employers choose not to do this. This can have various reasons, such as the desire to remain flexible in negotiations or uncertainty about the exact remuneration for a position. But what are the advantages of mentioning a salary indication?

Advantages for job seekers

✅ Transparency and trust
Including a salary indication in the vacancy text ensures transparency, which contributes to a positive employer image. Job seekers appreciate honesty and like to know where they stand.

✅ Better match of expectationsWhen the salary is clear, job seekers can better assess whether the position fits their expectations. This prevents disappointments during the application process.

✅ Time savings for both parties
By providing clarity about the salary in advance, you prevent candidates from dropping out during the application process due to a mismatch in expectations. This saves both job seekers and employers time and effort.

Advantages for employers

✅ More and more targeted applications
Vacancies with a salary indication generally receive more applications. Job seekers feel more engaged when they know what to expect. This leads to a larger and more relevant pool of candidates.

✅ Preventing salary negotiations
By communicating a clear salary range, employers can better manage negotiations. This ensures a more transparent process and prevents unrealistic salary demands from being made.

✅ Attracting passive candidates
Even passive job seekers – people who are not actively looking but are open to new opportunities – are more likely to respond if they see that the salary is attractive.

Why do many employers don't mention salary?

Despite these advantages, many employers still choose not to include a salary indication in their vacancy texts. This can be due to:

🔻 Competitive considerations: Companies do not want competitors to have insight into their salary policy.

🔻 Flexibility in negotiations: Some employers want to leave room for negotiations based on experience and skills.

🔻 Internal uncertainty: Sometimes there is no clear salary range for a specific position within an organization.

However, the advantages often outweigh the disadvantages. Transparency about the salary helps to attract the right candidates and strengthens the employer brand.

Tips for stating a salary indication in your job ad

🧩 Give a range: For example "€3,000 - €4,000 gross per month based on 40 hours per week." This offers flexibility and still provides clarity.

🧩 Mention secondary employment conditions: Such as vacation days, pension scheme and training opportunities. This makes the offer even more attractive.

🧩 Stay transparent and realistic: Do not exaggerate and ensure that the salary range matches the market value of the position.

Conclusion: make your vacancy texts more powerful and mention the salary

By including a salary indication in your vacancy texts, you increase the chance of successful and efficient recruitment. It increases transparency, attracts more targeted applicants and saves time for both job seekers and employers. Although many employers are still reluctant to do so, the benefits are clear and can contribute to a stronger employer brand.

Do you want help writing attractive vacancy texts with a salary indication? Place your sustainable vacancy on Greenjobs.nl and reach motivated job seekers who want to make an impact!

Want to know more?

Do you want more tips on effective vacancy texts? Then read the blog about how to write good job ads.

Written by: Annemiek (and a little AI)