There’s far more to a job than the responsibilities the role involves and factors such as the size of the team, the working environment and the working hours can be just as important to an individual looking for their next opportunity. So when looking for a new job, candidates want to build a thorough idea about a company’s values and culture ahead of applying for a role there.
In order to create a rounded impression of the organisation, job seekers frequently research the company on social media and their company website, so it is important that employers provide them with the information that they are looking for. If a job seeker cannot find the information they want to know about a company, they may choose not to apply and will apply elsewhere, meaning you could miss out on some of the best candidates.
A transparent employer brand is also the key to hiring the best suited employees, as it allows them to assess how they would fit in based on their experience and personality ahead of making the decision to apply or accept a job there.
In order to keep candidates in the loop and attract talent to your organisation, here are a few of the things that candidates want to know about your company when considering applying for a job there:
1) Organisation values and goals
Employees want to be able to relate to the organisation’s values and goals and feel like they share the same purpose. They want to feel like they can play a part in meeting the company’s goals and where they fit in within future plans for the business. Being transparent about company values and goals will enable candidates to envision where the could fit in and the impact they could have.
2) Company culture
The working environment and team dynamics can make or break and employees experience at the company. Whereas some work well independently and appreciate a quiet environment, others thrive in a high energy workplace with a high level of collaboration. Therefore, it is essential that candidates are able to gage what kind of company culture an organisation has before applying to work there. While you want to demonstrate why your company is great place to work, it is essential that you provide an honest account of what it is like to work there, so that you hire employees who are a good fit. You can do this by showcasing behind the scenes insights into office life and the team, or providing details on your website.
3) The customers
If you have a few notable clients or customers, share this information, as it will help candidates to build a picture of the types of companies or people they will be working with. Mentioning some big names can help to gain a bit of credibility and lets candidates know what to expect and the type of contacts they can expect to make.
4) The team
One of the biggest factors that influences our happiness at work is the people who we work with. We have to spend every day with them, so you want to be working alongside people who you get along well with and who gel as a team. A lot of companies provide a bit of information about their employees on their website, so people can get a sense of the type of people who work there, for example a short paragraph about their role at the company and some of their personal interests. Social media is also a great way to showcase your team and reveal a bit about individuals’ personalities and the way that everyone works with each other.
5) Leadership style
Ahead of applying for a role, candidates want to know what the management style is like within the organisation. Different approaches work for different people, so it is important that they feel that it suits them as a professional. Provide a bit of information about who is in charge and how they like to work, so they can get a bit of an insight into how the business runs.
[Image Credit: Pablo]