If you’ve ever struggled to get the right candidates to apply, you’re not alone. Healthcare is one of the most competitive fields when it comes to hiring, and a job posting is often the very first impression a provider has of your organization. A vague or rushed posting can turn people away before you even have a chance to talk with them. The good news is that a strong job ad does more than just list responsibilities. It communicates who you are, what you offer, and why someone would want to join your team. Let’s look at the key details you should include in your posting, why they matter to providers, and a few common mistakes to avoid.

Be upfront about pay. Providers want transparency. Research shows 85 percent of job seekers will skip postings that don’t include a listed salary or range. Beyond salary, talk about benefits that matter such as an additional loan repayment, relocation assistance, continuing education, or even housing stipends in rural areas. The more detail you provide, the more likely candidates are to take your posting seriously.

This is one of the simplest details to include, but it adds a lot of context. Are you expanding services, replacing a retiring provider, or bringing in extra support to meet demand? Candidates appreciate understanding the “why” behind the opening. It gives them a sense of stability and helps them grasp your organization’s direction. Even a single line explaining the reason can make your posting feel more transparent and approachable.

When a provider looks at your posting, one of the first things they want to picture is the practice itself. Are they stepping into an outpatient clinic, working as a hospitalist, or juggling both inpatient and outpatient care? Patient volume matters too, some providers thrive in a fast-paced environment, while others prefer a slower clinic where they can spend more time with patients. It also helps to explain whether the practice is long established or still building. For some, the appeal is joining a busy, well-oiled system; for others, it’s the chance to help shape something new. Even mentioning if you have mid-level providers on the team or which EMR you use can make the role easier for candidates to imagine. 

Burnout is a serious concern in healthcare, with the CDC reporting that 46 percent of health workers said they felt burned out often or very often in 2022, up from 32 percent in 2018 (CDC). When a posting just says “full-time,” it doesn’t tell candidates much about what life will actually look like in the role. Be clear about hours, call responsibilities, weekend coverage, and any flexibility your practice offers.

Not every provider is looking for the same thing, some want a traditional Monday through Friday schedule, while others are open to nights and weekends if it comes with more variety or higher pay. Laying out these details helps candidates decide early if your opportunity fits their lifestyle and career goals, and it shows that your organization respects their time.

Compensation and schedule get attention, but culture is what keeps people. Providers want to know who they’ll be working with, how the team collaborates, and what kind of support they can count on. You do not need to oversell it, but give candidates a sense of what makes your team unique. Talk about team size, how responsibilities are shared, or the support systems you have in place. It may also be worth including your organization’s mission or vision statement. Providers are often drawn to employers whose values line up with their own.

For many providers, location is the first thing they look at when considering a job. Some are particular about geography because it directly shapes their lifestyle and family life. That means this section of your posting deserves more than just a city and state. Point out what makes your area appealing, whether it’s “minutes from the coast,” close to a university, or surrounded by outdoor recreation. If your practice is in a rural community, don’t be afraid to include that. Many providers want to work in smaller towns where they can make a visible difference in patient care 

Most providers are not only looking for their next job, they are looking for their next step. If your organization supports continuing medical education, mentorship, leadership tracks, or research opportunities, say so in your the postings. 

Recruiting in healthcare is never simple, but a well-written job post can make it a whole lot easier. When you take the time to highlight what providers care about most - compensation, practice type, schedule, workplace culture, location, career growth, and the reason you are hiring, you attract candidates who are not just qualified but genuinely interested in what you offer. In a market where providers have plenty of choices, clear and detailed postings help your opportunity rise above the rest. A little extra effort on the front end can bring in stronger applicants and shorten the time it takes to find the right fit.

* If you are ready to share your opportunities with providers who are actively searching, PracticeSeeker makes it easy to get your postings in front of the right audience.