The Olympic Games will, no doubt, treat us to a showcase of some of humankind’s best moments. Despite its imperfections, this quadrennial event confirms just how special people can be when they are dedicated to a goal, work hard at its accomplishment and have faith in themselves. For most of us, however, the athletes who compete in the Olympics seem a very different breed. They are more gifted than we, more talented, more able to succeed at realizing their aspirations. So, we assume that the journey of an Olympian holds little of relevance to our gifts and talent or to the aspirations at which we work. And, that assumption is incorrect.

Each year, WEDDLE’s analyzes the data supplied by visitors to its Web-site who answer a questionnaire that explores both their online and real world experience either in recruiting talent or finding a new or better job. We question recruiters to determine which sourcing techniques work best, and we question job seekers to determine how they found their last job and expect to find their next one. The results of the latter questionnaire provide what we call our annual Source of Employment Survey.

As virtually every person on planet Earth knows, the latest Indiana Jones movie had its much anticipated coming out party this past weekend. By all accounts, it came close to setting a box office record for ticket sales despite competing with the first getaway holiday of the summer. For those who haven’t seen it, the movie reprises the exaggerated challenges and heroics of earlier Jones movies with a tip of the hat to the limitations and wisdom of an older leading man. It’s great fun, but it also offers a lesson that the rest of us mere mortals might do well to consider.

Here are five tips to help make your job posting easier and more effective.

1. Target your ad. Posting your job on a niche career site like Nonprofit Career Fair is already a great start! You’ll avoid getting flooded with tons of resumes of unqualified candidates. Ideally you want just a few resumes from the BEST candidates.
2. Be specific. Provide some details, not only about the position, but about the working environment and the market space, as well. Where possible, avoid using overly broad language, acronyms or industry jargon.
3. Provide names and titles. What is the title of the person who the job reports to? What is that person’s name (top candidates often want to do a search of their potential manager before responding).
4. Widen your reach. Do not geographically restrict your open position. The best candidates do not all live in Silicon Valley, New York City and Boston. If possible, offer a relocation package or even a small stipend.
5. Catch their eye. Make the job posting as visually stimulating as possible, and always use correct grammar.