Why Employers Don’t Get Many Job Applications
Carpet cleaning, Commercial cleaning, Domestic cleaning, General cleaning, Healthcare cleaning, Housekeeping, Industrial cleaning, Specialized cleaning

Why Employers Don’t Get Many Job Applications is a question we hear often—especially in today’s competitive labour market within the cleaning industry. Many Kiwi employers are left scratching their heads, wondering why their job ads aren’t bringing in solid candidates. The truth is, it’s often not the applicants that are lacking—it’s how the job is advertised. At CleaningNZ, we’ve seen firsthand how small changes can make a big impact. This article breaks down the most common mistakes made by employers when advertising roles and offers simple, real-life advice to help you attract more of the right people.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Job Ads

1. Advertising the Region Instead of the Suburb

Example:
A company once posted a job for a housekeeper in Canterbury. Someone from Timaru applied, only to discover the job was actually in Kaikōura Beach—over four hours away.

Why This Is a Problem:
Most cleaners in Aotearoa are on minimum wage. They look for jobs close to home to cut travel costs and fit work around personal commitments. When only a vague region is listed, they can’t quickly tell if the job is feasible—and they’ll likely scroll past.

What to Do Instead:
Be specific. Always include the suburb—or even the street—where the job is based. If the role spans multiple sites across a city or region, make that clear too. Jobseekers need to understand the travel involved, especially when considering fuel costs or public transport—even if a company vehicle is offered. Providing this detail upfront helps applicants quickly assess whether the job fits with their lifestyle and daily routine.

2. No Weekly Hours or Shift Times

Why This Is a Problem:
It’s not uncommon to see ads missing critical info like total hours, working days, or whether it’s a night or day shift. Cleaners have lives—they’re juggling school pickups, second jobs, or study. If they don’t know what kind of hours they’re signing up for, they won’t waste their time applying.

What to Do Instead:
Be upfront. Include:

  • Total hours per week
  • Working days
  • Shift type (e.g., night/day)

Respect their time, and they’ll be more likely to respect the job.

3. No Pay Rates

Why This Is a Problem:
A cleaner with 10+ years of diverse experience may find your ad for a nearby job perfect—until they see no mention of pay. They’ll likely assume it’s minimum wage and skip it. That’s not just one lost applicant; it’s lost experience and value.

What to Do Instead:
Even if your rate is negotiable, give a pay bracket (e.g., $24.50 – $26.25 depending on experience). This gives potential applicants confidence in the value of the role and saves you from wasting money on ineffective advertising.

4. Minimal Info Equals Low-Quality Applicants

Some employers think leaving out details will get more applicants. Sure, it might—but the quality? Questionable. Vague job ads attract vague responses. Quality cleaners want clear expectations and will gravitate towards jobs that lay it all out.

What to Do Instead:
Share what matters:

  • Company culture
  • Tools provided
  • Opportunities for advancement
  • Specific job duties

Want to stand out? Post on niche platforms like CleaningNZ, where your ad is seen by motivated cleaners who understand the industry.

5. Not Leveraging Niche Platforms

Why This Is a Problem:
Many employers stick with the same generic platforms, despite them costing upwards of $260 per month for general listings. These sites aren’t industry-specific, meaning your ad is competing with hundreds of unrelated jobs.

What to Do Instead:
Use a niche platform built by Kiwi cleaning experts for the cleaning industry—like CleaningNZ. With a growing community of over 6000 jobseekers and 600 companies, we’re leading the way in matching cleaners to jobs across all sectors, including:

  • Commercial Cleaning
  • Domestic & Housekeeping
  • Industrial & Specialised Cleaning

Takeaway

If you’re not getting applications, chances are it’s not the job—it’s how you’re presenting it. By being clear, respectful, and targeted with your ads, you’ll attract better talent faster. Platforms like CleaningNZ exist to help Kiwi employers hire smarter, with fewer headaches and better results. Be specific and give jobseekers what they need to make a confident decision. That’s how you find the best in the business.