Proof-of-Run for Job Ads: Step-by-Step Guide

Proof-of-Run for job ads is a crucial part of demonstrating compliance when posting jobs online. It documents where and when your job postings were active, ensuring your recruitment efforts are verifiable. This guide walks you through capturing Proof-of-Run artifacts, generating PDFs and public links, and avoiding common mistakes. Following this process helps employers show evidence that job ads were accessible to Canadian job seekers, especially for positions requiring government compliance.

What Proof-of-Run Is (and Isn’t)

Proof-of-Run is a documentation process showing where and when a job ad was active. It does not guarantee eligibility or decisions—it simply provides verifiable proof that the ad was posted correctly.

Goal of Proof-of-Run

Make it effortless for reviewers to confirm the ad ran as intended.
Verify start and end dates to demonstrate compliance.
Ensure Canadians could find and access the job posting online.

Proper Proof-of-Run documentation helps employers avoid potential issues during audits or reviews and ensures transparency in their hiring process.

The Three Artifacts You Need

To create a complete Proof-of-Run record, employers should capture three essential artifacts:

Public URL of the Live Ad

Ensure it is accessible without a login.
Save the URL as plain text and within your PDF so it is clickable.
A public URL provides evidence that the job posting was accessible online.

PDF Showing the Ad Content

Include all critical information: job title, location, run dates, and posting status.
Ensure the PDF is clear, legible, and accurately reflects the live posting.
PDFs serve as permanent records for your recruitment documentation.

Screenshots of the Ad

Capture visible run dates, if shown.
Screenshots should match the live ad view exactly.
Screenshots provide visual confirmation of the ad’s appearance and accessibility.

Step-by-Step: Creating a PDF + Public URL

Follow these steps to generate Proof-of-Run documentation efficiently:

Publish Your Job Ad

Post your job on the relevant portal.
Copy the public URL for reference and verification.

Generate the Proof-of-Run PDF

From your employer dashboard, create a PDF showing job title, location, start date, scheduled end date, and status.
Ensure the PDF clearly matches the live ad content.

Capture Screenshots

Take screenshots of the live job posting and any search-results pages that demonstrate discoverability.
Make sure screenshots reflect the candidate experience accurately.

Verify Public Accessibility

Open the public link in an incognito or private browser window.
Confirm it works without requiring login credentials.

Following this detailed step-by-step process ensures your Proof-of-Run is complete, accurate, and easily verifiable.

How to Document National Scope

For jobs posted nationally, additional steps ensure proper coverage:

Use Country-Wide Search Filters

Use platforms that allow candidates to search across all provinces.
Capture screenshots demonstrating the nationwide reach.

Include Screenshots Per Posting

If the job is posted on multiple channels, collect one set of artifacts per channel (URL + PDF + screenshots).

Label Artifacts Clearly

Organize and label each artifact to correspond with the correct job posting.
Clear labeling ensures reviewers can quickly verify compliance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding common errors ensures your Proof-of-Run is valid:

Missing Dates

PDFs must be time-stamped and include start and end dates.

Private Links

Public URLs must be accessible without a login.

Inconsistent Titles/Locations

Keep job titles and locations consistent across all channels.

Not Updating Changes

If wages, duties, or locations change, update the ad and regenerate the artifacts.

Poor Discoverability

Confirm that candidates can find the posting via search/browse, not just by a direct link.

By avoiding these mistakes, employers ensure that their Proof-of-Run is complete and verifiable.

Proof-of-Run is an essential step in modern recruitment compliance. By capturing the public URL, PDF, and screenshots, employers can demonstrate that their job postings were accessible to Canadian candidates. Following these steps carefully ensures accuracy, transparency, and reliability of recruitment records.

Start a free posting today and generate Proof-of-Run instantly on your job portal to ensure compliance, reach top talent, and maintain professional standards in your hiring process.