The culture you create in your company will directly affect your future in the hiring process. By starting from within and building your brand outward, you can demonstrate what you are capable of and show who has chosen to work with you. You should be just as proud of those you hire as you are of them working for you. Starting with employer branding and fostering good relationships within your company, what you envision will naturally attract top talent in your industry.
If you're in a competitive market, you know the right prospects are shopping. Here are some ways to stand out from the crowd in your field.
Find something that is different about your company and highlight it.
You are not the same as your competitors. So focus on why potential candidates would want to work for you. It's okay to honk your horn yourself, as long as you don't hit it too hard! Be humble about it, not long-winded. People want to be proud of who they work for and what the company stands for. Employer branding is important in today's competitive market, so start here.
Become a mystery shopper in your industry.
It's no secret that mystery shopping is useful for a variety of reasons. Is your company competitive in wages and benefits? Are there other companies that offer remote options and give their team the tools they need to do it? What else do they give their employees above and beyond competitive wages and benefits?
Set the standard for the interview and hiring experience.
Do you want to be like everyone else, using the same software, asking the same questions and fighting for the same people? Top talent wants to be “admired” by their future employers. They want to leave not only with a great interview and hiring experience, but with confidence in who they will be working with. If you've done a good job of branding yourself, describing the position they've applied for, and continuing to collect their feedback throughout the process, chances are you're on the right track.
How is your career page?
Is it up to date and user friendly? Does it provide insight into both open positions and your company's culture and values? Your careers page will likely be the first interaction potential candidates will have with the inner workings of your company, so make sure it reflects the standards you uphold.
Be active on social media.
Whether it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or another platform, you'll want to be where the top talent for your industry is. Communicate with your employer brand when you're online, being aware that what you share should always match the image you want to convey. Don't forget to showcase the top talent you've already employed while you're at it. Potential candidates will love to see that you value your team externally. It also shows the level of people you employ. Who wouldn't want to work for a company that says “Please”, “Thank you!” and “Congratulations!”?