I was reading some research today - a survey by Jobs.ac.uk - where unsuprisingly they identified that the war for talent can be overcome by building your employer brand.
The research identified that no less than 86 percent of candidates searching for a role rate the strength of a company's employer brand and reputation as important factors when considering whether to apply for a role.
Think about it - can you remember a time when an executive search firm or recruitment consultant contacted you about what sounded like a great opportunity, but your heart sank when you heard what the company was?
Or perhaps you found out about a great assignment with a potential new client, but you found yourself less than interested when you found out the the potential client was a company you did not respect the reputation of?
You already had a mental and emotional picture of what that company stood for - both in terms of their reputation and their employer brand.
It doesn't matter how you came to your conclusion or if it was correct - you came to a conclusion.
It may have been because of what you had heard people say about the company, what you had seen or heard in the media, or just your own point of view of the sector of business the company was involved in and their position in the market place - you had a perception that became your reality.
So if you find yourself wondering why it is difficult to attract great people to the vacancies in your business, I highly recommend that you take stock of your employer brand and start with some research about what potential candidates think about working for you.
And one of the fastest ways to access information is from the executive search firm or recruitment consultant you are using to help you fill your roles.
Remember to open your ears - you may not like what they have to say about the employment proposition you are offering, but by listening to the feedback you might get some great insights even before you undertake specific analytical research and focus groups.
Source: HR Zone
Tags: employer brand, reputation, war for talent
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