A person using a magnifying glass to decode hidden messages in a job ad.

Decoding Job Ads: What They Really Say About Pay and Perks

Soraya Malik in Business & Economy December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlock the secrets hidden in plain sight: a data-driven look at how Norwegian employers signal job quality and compensation through their job ads."

In today's competitive job market, finding the right fit goes beyond just skills and experience. Workers increasingly prioritize factors like work-life balance, company culture, and overall job satisfaction alongside traditional compensation. But how can you decipher what a job truly offers from the often-generic language of job postings?

Job advertisements serve as a crucial bridge between employers and potential employees, yet their informativeness can vary widely. While some ads explicitly detail salary and benefits, others rely on subtle cues and carefully chosen words to convey the job's true value proposition. Understanding this hidden language is key to making informed decisions about your career.

This article leverages a comprehensive study of Norwegian job ads to reveal the systematic ways employers communicate about pay and non-pay attributes. By analyzing a vast dataset, we uncover the patterns and predictors of employer attractiveness, empowering you to decode job postings and find opportunities that align with your priorities.

The Hidden Language of Job Ads: Cracking the Code

A person using a magnifying glass to decode hidden messages in a job ad.

A groundbreaking study of job advertisements in Norway has shed light on how employers strategically use language to attract potential candidates. Researchers analyzed a massive database of job postings, classifying the information on both pay and non-pay attributes to understand what employers emphasize and how these attributes relate to overall employer attractiveness. The findings offer invaluable insights for job seekers looking to decode the hidden messages within job descriptions.

The research team developed a methodology to systematically classify information on pay and non-pay job attributes, linking this data to measures of employer attractiveness derived from a job search model. This innovative approach allowed them to quantify the information content of job ads and identify the key predictors of employer appeal. The study revealed that:

Pay is only part of the picture: While about 55% of job ads provide some pay-related information, nearly all ads feature details about non-pay attributes like contract duration, flexible hours, and workplace environment.
Non-pay perks matter: Publicly advertised job attributes are meaningful predictors of employer attractiveness, with non-pay attributes being just as influential as pay-related ones.
High-pay vs. High-amenity: Companies known for high pay tend to emphasize pay-related attributes, while those with high amenity values are more likely to advertise flexible working hours and contract duration.

These findings suggest that employers are actively using job ads to communicate their unique value propositions, tailoring their language to attract candidates who prioritize specific attributes. By understanding these patterns, job seekers can gain a more accurate understanding of what each employer truly offers.

Decoding Your Future: The Power of Informed Job Seeking

The research underscores the importance of looking beyond salary when evaluating job opportunities. By carefully analyzing the language used in job ads, you can gain valuable insights into an employer's values, culture, and commitment to employee well-being. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and find a job that aligns with your personal and professional priorities.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2407.13204,

Title: The Pay And Non-Pay Content Of Job Ads

Subject: econ.gn q-fin.ec

Authors: Richard Audoly, Manudeep Bhuller, Tore Adam Reiremo

Published: 18-07-2024

Everything You Need To Know

What specific aspects of job advertisements do Norwegian employers use to signal job quality and compensation?

Norwegian employers use job advertisements to signal job quality and compensation through a combination of pay-related and non-pay attributes. The research indicates that about 55% of job ads provide pay-related information, but nearly all ads detail non-pay attributes such as contract duration, flexible hours, and workplace environment. These non-pay attributes are just as influential as pay in attracting candidates. Companies known for high pay often emphasize pay-related attributes, while those with high amenity values highlight flexible working hours and contract duration.

How does the research on Norwegian job ads help job seekers in their search for a job?

The research helps job seekers by providing a framework to decode the hidden messages within job descriptions. By analyzing the language used in job ads, individuals can gain insights into an employer's values, culture, and commitment to employee well-being, going beyond just the salary. This knowledge empowers job seekers to make informed decisions about their careers, find opportunities that align with their priorities, and understand what each employer truly offers.

What are the key findings regarding the relationship between pay and non-pay attributes in Norwegian job ads?

The research revealed several key findings. Firstly, pay is only part of the picture, with non-pay attributes like contract duration and flexible hours being common and influential predictors of employer attractiveness. Secondly, non-pay perks matter significantly. Publicly advertised non-pay attributes are just as influential as pay-related ones in attracting candidates. Lastly, companies with different value propositions use different strategies. High-pay companies emphasize pay-related attributes, while companies with high amenity values often highlight flexible working hours and contract duration.

What methodology did the researchers use to analyze the job advertisements and what did they measure?

The researchers developed a methodology to systematically classify information on pay and non-pay job attributes in Norwegian job ads. They linked this classified data to measures of employer attractiveness, derived from a job search model. This innovative approach allowed them to quantify the information content of job ads, identify key predictors of employer appeal, and understand how employers communicate their value propositions. The researchers measured the frequency and types of pay and non-pay attributes mentioned in the ads and correlated these with measures of how attractive the employers were to potential employees.

Why is it important to look beyond salary when evaluating job opportunities, according to the research on Norwegian job ads?

It's important to look beyond salary because non-pay attributes play a crucial role in job satisfaction and overall employer attractiveness. The research on Norwegian job ads demonstrates that factors like contract duration, flexible hours, and workplace environment are just as influential as pay-related information. Analyzing the language used to describe these non-pay attributes provides valuable insights into an employer's values, culture, and commitment to employee well-being, allowing job seekers to find a job that aligns with their personal and professional priorities and ensuring a better fit beyond just the financial compensation.