Consistent and honest PR is paramount for shaping an employer’s brand and attracting top talent.
We all know the power branding can have on us as a consumer. We all find ourselves in the supermarket leaning towards one product over another. Maybe it’s the colour, the font or the product itself.
We also know the power branding can have for the products manufacturing company.
But here’s a question – have you really stopped and thought about your company in a lineup with your competitors? How do you make your company the one prospect employees choose?
As a recruiter myself, I deal with multiple candidates every day, many with numerous offers at once. It may surprise you to know that not all candidates pick the company that has the best benefits or the best salary.
So, what are candidates looking for? If we’re being truthful – many are looking for honesty.
Let’s explore how companies should prioritise Authentic PR for Talent Attraction.
Establishing Trust Through Consistent Messaging:
Companies should ensure consistent branding across all communication channels, including website, social media, and job postings. Mixed branding, mixed messaging and inconsistency only showcases disconnect in the wider business.
Sharing regular updates about company milestones, achievements, and initiatives that reflect the company’s values. It’s a great advert to see how the company is improving and makes it current and at the forefront of peoples’ mind.
Transparency to Build Credibility:
Be transparent about your companies’ current challenges. While it might be tempting to sell a candidate the “dream” version of the role, sell them the real one. Be honest about the challenges but remember to mention the vision of how you will go about getting closer to the dream of a “well-oiled machine”.
Acknowledge previous mistakes, challenges, and failures. It shows others that the company is aware of where they went wrong, minimising risk for it happening again.
The best candidates you can attract are those are loyal, honest and you can have trust in. Show them your company works that way too.
Enhance Your Employer Reputation:
To showcase how your company rewards loyal, honest and trusting employees, highlight any accolades, awards or recognition either the company or existing employees have earned.
Share stories of genuine employee development to demonstrate that the working environment you have curated can be challenging but rewarding.
Effective Networking Can Hold Real Power:
It’s easy to see Networking events such as Career Fairs or other local networking events to be a “hindrance” as it means less time in the office attending to tasks. However, Networking holds great power for you to showcase your company and mix with others.
It gives you an insight into other companies’ offerings, as well as network with future prospective candidates to nurture your future pipeline.
Creating a pipeline of talent through positive word-of-mouth referrals is often your post powerful asset.
In Short:
The biggest challenge companies often have is finding people who want to work for them. The biggest reason usually is – nobody knows about the companies’ journey or what they do in terms of being an EMPLOYER.
Even brands who are household names are often the biggest mysteries in terms of what it’s like to work inside them.
It’s evident that consistent and honest PR practices play a pivotal role in shaping an employer’s reputation and attracting top talent. By prioritising authenticity and transparency in their communication efforts, companies not only differentiate themselves in a competitive market but also foster trust and loyalty among current and potential employees. As employers continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of talent acquisition, investing in consistent and honest PR isn’t just a strategic choice—it’s a commitment to building a strong employer brand that resonates with individuals who share their values and vision for the future. So, let’s embrace the power of authentic storytelling and transparent communication to create workplaces where both employees and employers thrive.