You want top talent. Finding prime candidates is easy; attracting them, not so much. Unless, that is, money is no object and your brand is as solid and your culture as widely praised as Google or USAA, both long-time residents on Fortune’s annual list of Best Companies to Work For.
The companies that know how to attract the best candidates tend to win them, of course. So how do you compete with the big boys? Start by looking at your company culture through the eyes of the best candidates out there. What are you offering that matches their expectations, and where do the current atmosphere and existing benefits fall short? Bridge that gap and you’ll have built a culture that’s highly appealing to the best and brightest.
A few pointers to that end:
Embrace Differences
Your company must set itself apart from its competitors and communicate its best selling points in job postings, through social media, on the website, anywhere job seekers are likely to come across them. If potential candidates have to do a fair bit of digging to discover why your employees love working for ABC Corporation, they may not do the work and assume ABC is a junk employer.
Spotlight Existing Talent
Superstars like to be among other top performers. Superstars also often recognize their value and go where they’re treated well. If you make it clear that you’ve got what top talent wants – whether it’s top-of-the-line perks, ample opportunities for advancement or a robust corporate social responsibility program.
Hire for Cultural Fit
Allow team members who will be working with the new hire regularly to weigh in during the hiring process. If the candidate is on an entirely different wavelength than much of the team, motivation and morale may suffer. This isn’t to say that each team member should be a carbon copy of the next, because progress often comes through conflict. But it makes sense to staff the team with individuals who have similar motivations and values.
Focus on Engagement
Once you’ve secured the talent, the goal is to retain them. Make sure you’re consistently putting employees first, building their trust and making decisions that demonstrate respect for the team. Treat employees well continually and they’ll want to do well for you. And they’ll want to stick around.
Published by Conselium Executive Search, the global leader in compliance search.
