There is a lot of talk about branding lately. In many cases, branding applies to a company’s reputation, and it can be an asset (or liability) that can affect many people, including employees, customers, investors, shareholders and distributors.
It can also have an impact on your ability to recruit top talent. After all, if candidates like your brand or feel a connection to it, you have a better chance of hiring them. Looking at it that way, you can see recruiting doesn’t start when you meet someone for the first time. It began when they heard or read about your company long before you met them.
That’s what makes employer branding so critical. You’re not starting from scratch in trying to persuade a qualified candidate to join your team. Your organization’s positive brand has already laid the foundation for you. Depending on how strong the connection feels to the candidate, the decision to work for you might have been made before the initial meeting.
In any event, branding plays a pivotal role throughout the recruiting process. Here are three stages that are heavily influenced by it:
Your reputation precedes you
Anything a candidate hears and reads about your company will leave them with an impression of what it’s like to work there. So, if there are negative postings on social media or bad online reviews of your company, many of the top candidates might not even want to interview with you.
It’s crucial that you regularly monitor these online activities and conversations and respond to them. That way you’re gaining some control of your company’s reputation. You’ll also want to make sure there is plenty of positive information flowing about your organization so candidates have a positive frame of reference.
Your offer speaks volumes about your brand
The kind of offer you make to a potential employee represents your employer brand and is vital to successful recruitment. If you aren’t offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, you won’t recruit the best talent, and your brand will be hurt.
Conversely, if your offers are generous and you can promise stimulating work with opportunities for advancement, your brand will stand out, and your recruiting efforts will be successful in the future.
Your culture is a component of your brand
The corporate culture that candidates see plays a significant role in their decision to accept your offer. It’s also a vital component of your employer brand. If your company is known for being flexible with work schedules or has strong employee relationships, those cultural benefits can enhance your recruiting efforts.
Are you looking for qualified people who connect with your brand?
Contact Pro Talent Group, one of Indiana’s fastest-growing minority- and woman-owned businesses. We have provided opportunities for contingent employees through our offices in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. And we can make direct hire placements in engineering, manufacturing and administrative positions nationwide.
