How to write a great job listing for your New Zealand small business (with free template)

Your job ad is often someone’s first impression of your business. A vague or poorly written listing can make top talent scroll on, while a clear and friendly one can help you stand out.

A quality job listing should:

• Be easy to read and straight to the point
• Reflect your business’s personality and values
• Clearly outline the job, pay, and expectations
• Encourage the right people to apply

Be specific and searchable.

Example: Part-time experienced barista

Share a short, genuine intro to your business and culture.

Example: We’re a small, family-run cafe in the heart of Rotorua, passionate about great coffee, fresh food, and friendly service. We value community, teamwork, and a good sense of humour!

Let applicants know where the job is based. Be specific, especially for rural locations.

Example: Rotorua CBD: on-site.

Clarify if it’s full-time, part-time, casual, or contract and the expected hours someone will be working.

Example: Part-time: approx. 20 hours per week, including one weekend day.

Being upfront about pay can attract more suitable candidates. 

Plus, the Trade Me Jobs 2025 Market Insights Report highlights ‘missing pay information in job adverts’ as the biggest frustration for job hunters. 

So, putting at least a pay band for the role is helpful to attract the right applicants.

Example: $25-$27 per hour, depending on experience.

List the main tasks of the job in clear bullet points. Be as specific as possible, especially if the job is varied day-to-day.

Example:

• Making high-quality espresso coffee
• Taking customer orders and handling payments
• Keeping the cafe clean and welcoming
• Assisting with basic food prep
• Working as part of a small team

Include both “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves.”

Example:

Must-haves:

• Positive attitude and strong customer service skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Barista experience (at least 6 months preferred)

Desirable but not essential:

• Food handling certificate
• Flexibility to cover extra shifts if needed

Mention specific benefits, perks, and your team culture. Hint: only mention things like Annual Leave if you offer more than the legal requirement. 

Example:

• Staff discounts on food and coffee
• A fun, friendly team environment
• Opportunities to grow and take on more responsibility

Create urgency to apply or let people know you’re flexible.

Example: Applications close Friday 31 May, but we’re reviewing applications as they come in so don’t delay. Apply as soon as possible!

Luckily, this is covered when you use Trade Me Jobs - it’s easy for potential applicants to apply in just a few clicks!

Good to include if you can't offer visa sponsorship or want to avoid receiving applications from people who do not have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Example: Applicants must be legally allowed to work in New Zealand.

• Use plain English. Avoid buzzwords or jargon.
• Show your personality. A bit of warmth goes a long way. We’re all human after all!
• Be upfront. The more honest you are about pay and expectations, the better pool of suitable candidates you can expect.
• Advertise in the right places. Trade Me Jobs is the home of hands-on work in Aotearoa.
• Make the most of Trade Me Jobs products. Tap into our database of over 700,000 active job profiles to find the right fit for your role and reach out to them directly. Or, let us do the hard work for you and recommend candidates directly to you based on their Trade Me Jobs Profile.