As a Hiring Manager you are evaluated based on your ability to attract and land the top talent that exists in your industry, regardless of what employment statistics tell us or what economic factors and trends we experience. The bottom line is that there is an ongoing and never relenting challenge for Hiring Managers to make a conscious effort to evaluate and improve their recruiting platform and attraction strategy. Ensure that you attract the best talent by making sure your organization is portrayed candidly.
Sharpen your pencil: here are a couple of ways to perform a “reputation check-up”.
What's Your Story?
When was the last time a recruiter shared with you the specific story they would be sharing throughout the market regarding your opportunity and organization? Not only is it important to manage the message that is being delivered, but it’s also important to make the most of the chance to generate some tremendous buzz as a result of canvassing the passive market.
Make sure you know how your name and story are being shared with passive but viable individuals in the industry, unless, of course, the search is for a confidential replacement or you requested otherwise. If you can share your story, it results in hundreds of individuals within your competition learning about your growth, your innovation, and your advancements. Making sure the stories are being shared throughout your industry helps you maintain a proactive pipeline to prospective hires and puts you in the position to land the best hires on an ongoing basis.
What’s On Your Website?
Take a look at your “join us” section. If you don't have one, create one. Does it simply list open positions with a quick paragraph on the history of your company or does it tell a compelling story of your organization’s culture, your value proposition, and what others who’ve joined your firm have accomplished since joining? Although listing vacant positions seems logical, consider the opportunity of talking less about what you need and more of what you offer to someone in their career.
Consider sharing testimonials from recent hires who can attest to the significant differences now that they are with your firm.
Share newsletters or quarterly updates with photos from events and cultural initiatives. Include photos of the interactive events you host in your company; things such as “bring your kids to work” day or group volunteer efforts or sports teams you sponsor.