How do I write job ads that attract candidates and meet pay transparency rules where they apply?
Candidates skip vague ads. In Ontario and several US states, pay ranges are now required in many postings.
- Do we need salary in ads?
- What attracts good candidates?
- Which rules apply to agencies?
Lead with what candidates want to know: pay range, location and hybrid rules, key duties, must-have skills and the interview process. In Ontario, publicly advertised postings by employers with 25 or more employees must include pay or a range, say whether the vacancy exists, disclose AI used in screening and not require Canadian experience. Several US states and cities have their own pay transparency laws. Check which apply.
A strong job ad
- Title candidates search for.
- Pay range.
- Location and hybrid rules.
- Five or fewer key duties.
- Must-haves versus nice-to-haves.
- Interview steps and timing.
Ontario rules from 2026
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pay | Expected pay or a range, with limits on range width |
| Vacancy | Whether the role exists now |
| AI | Disclose AI used to screen, assess or select |
| Canadian experience | Can't be required |
| Follow-up | Tell interviewed applicants within 45 days |
How we look at it at ShoutEx
We write job ad templates and track which ads bring applicants who get placed.
- No pay range.
- Long duty lists.
- Canadian experience required.
- Ads for roles that don't exist without saying so.
- Pay range.
- Clear must-haves.
- Process explained.
- Rules checked by location.
What recruiters and regulators say
Here is what regulators and candidates say.
Summary of Ontario's posting requirements.
Read the summary →Recruiters discuss pay transparency laws and agency postings.
Browse the threads →Community summaries describe recurring themes in public threads, not individual posts. Vendor pages describe vendor claims, so test them on your own calls.
Read next
Go deeper in the ShoutEx guides, or check the sources behind this answer.
We'll write templates and track results.
Book a call →Follow-up questions
Do Ontario rules apply to agencies?
Check how they apply to postings you publish for clients.
Can AI write job ads?
It can draft. Recruiters check facts and rules.
What about BC and other provinces?
BC has pay transparency rules too. Check each province.