Old School Classified Ads May Have More Value Than You Think!

When you think of the Classifieds section of the newspaper, what do you think about? Do you find classifieds in the local newspaper or online? Check out the new student guide we created to accompany this post.

The earliest newsprint ad on American soil was in the Boston News-Letter in 1704.  Printed ads actually date all the way back to 2000 BCE in Egypt. Rather than physically printing the ad on paper (or papyrus at the time), it was etched in the side of a pyramid. Outdoor advertising at its finest. By 59BCE, Rome was printing daily ads in the “Daily Acts” (Acta Diurna), a sort of daily gazette. Check out the history of the “classifieds” in this infographic.

From Visually.

The classified are not just for selling a boat, a baseball card collection, or kittens; nor are they only for posting a lost pooch. Did you know that the Classified section of the newspaper can provide a starting place for those seeking a job? ​Check out the recent classified in a newspaper like the Tampa Bay Times or use the embedded section.

What kinds of jobs do you see listed? Play around with grouping them into a few categories. What does that look like? Are there any ads listed that interest you? Choose one ad that catches your attention. 

• Write down the job description. 
• What requirements must the applicant meet? 
• Do you meet these requirements? 
• How much is one financially compensated? 
• Is the pay per hour or through annual salary? 
• Does the pay rate surprise you? 
• How do you think this wage is determined? 
• Who do you reach out to about the job advertisement? 
• What contact information is provided? 
• What other information would you need to make an informed decision? 

Extensions:

1. Devise your own classified ad and write an advertisement for a job you create. Think about what design and wording will attract the right potential employees. Be sure to include the name of your company, the job title and description, qualification requirements and a (fictitious) way to contact you. <Do not provide personal information.>  Get together with your peers and assemble your ads to make a small classified ad section of your own. 
2. What jobs interest you? Check out O*Net Online to conduct research on different jobs. 

Florida Literacy Standards:
SS.912.FL.1.1: Discuss that people choose jobs or careers for which they are qualified based on non-income factors, such as job satisfaction, independence, risk, family, or location.
SS.912.FL.1.3: Evaluate ways people can make more informed education, job, or career decisions by evaluating the benefits and costs of different choices.
SS.912.FL.1.4: Analyze the reasons why the wage or salary paid to workers in jobs is usually determined by the labor market and that businesses are generally willing to pay more productive workers higher wages or salaries than less productive workers.