How to Become an Employer of Choice
In today’s competitive job market, businesses are looking for ways to stand out from the crowd and attract the best talent. One way to do this is to become an employer of choice, but how can companies, regardless of their size, compete with the FAAMGs of the world?
An employer of choice is a company that is highly sought after by job seekers. They are seen as a great place to work, with a strong culture, a positive employee experience, and excellent leadership. It doesn’t necessarily mean it has to have worldwide public recognition, but having an identifiable presence in the ecosystem in which it operates will certainly help, and don’t think because you aren’t the CEO you can’t elevate your team to be a desired place to work.
Firstly, before considering how you approach the external market you need to look inside your business, if your existing employees aren’t satisfied, and they are employees you want, which we’ll assume they are as they are in your business then that needs addressing. Word of mouth by a known individual is by far the most trusted source of advertising, more so than online reviews.
There are a number of things that businesses can do to become employers of choice. Here are a few key steps:
- Define your target audience. Whom are you trying to attract to your company? What are their needs and wants? Once you know who your target audience is, you can tailor or build your employer brand and offerings to appeal to them.
- Define your ideal employee. What kind of person do you want to work for you? What are their skills, experience, and values? Once you know what you’re looking for then this must be incorporated into the interview process.
- Create a strong culture. Make sure your culture is aligned with your values and that it’s something that your employees can be proud of. How can your team live by the company values on a day-to-day basis?
- Provide a positive employee experience. This means more than just offering competitive salaries and benefits. It means creating a work environment that is supportive, collaborative, and fun. It means giving employees the resources they need to be successful and the opportunity to grow and develop.
- Have strong leadership. Your leaders set the tone for your company. They are responsible for creating a positive work environment and motivating employees to do their best work. Make sure your leaders are visible, approachable, and supportive.
- Offer genuine flexibility. In today’s world, employees want flexibility. They want to be able to work from home, have a flexible schedule, and take time off when they need it. Offering genuine flexibility is a great way to attract and retain top talent.
- Have a clear purpose. Employees want to work for a company that has a clear purpose. They want to feel like they are making a difference in the world. Make sure your company has a clear mission and that your employees are aligned with it and importantly they know how their role impacts upon that purpose.
- Offer room for growth. Employees want to be able to grow and develop in their careers. Make sure your company offers opportunities for employees to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and advance in their careers.
- Measure your progress. It’s important to track your progress and make adjustments as needed. By regularly evaluating your employer brand and offerings, you can ensure that you’re staying ahead of the competition and attracting the best talent.
Here are some additional tips for becoming an employer of choice:
- Listen to your employees. Get regular feedback from your employees about what they like and dislike about your company. Use this feedback to make improvements and create a workplace that your employees love.
- Celebrate successes. When your employees do a good job, be sure to celebrate their success. This will help them feel valued and appreciated.
- Be open to change. The world of work is constantly changing, so you need to be willing to change with it. If you’re not willing to adapt, you’ll be left behind.
If your employees are flying the flag for your team or business, this will get around in the circles you need it to. So give them opportunities to network and be social.
Be firm with hiring the right people, be flexible on the skills required, and upskill people, but be firm on cultural fit.
Becoming an employer of choice is an ongoing process. It takes time, effort, and commitment. But if you’re willing to put in the work, it can be a very rewarding experience and will improve productivity, innovation, and ultimately profitability.