Jobshop UK: Employer Branding
26 October 2011
Like many companies who have made it through the past two years of recession, you may be thinking that the worst is now over and the only way for those who have managed to survive, is surely up. Well, yes.....and no. Most of us in the business community are feeling a little bruised and battle worn at the moment; skimmed down staff, tight budgets, working more hours for seemingly less rewards. But, the emphasis now is on being prepared for when we do finally emerge from the recession, that your business has positioned itself to it’s best advantage and branded itself so that future candidates are not only knocking on your door for a job, but that those potential candidates are the most suitable, skilled and talented for the positions your company offers.
It is a common misconception that there is an abundance of suitable candidates out there just waiting to jump in and take up a position with any company that offers them a job. Well, gone are the days when companies could bank on having five suitable candidates applying for one position. We are now looking at a more realistic figure of just ONE suitable candidate per every one hundred applications. And if that doesn’t seem worrying enough, that one candidate has done their homework and will already be holding a preference for the company they believe offers them the best opportunities in terms of salary, benefits and career goals.
Recruitment specialists, Jobshop UK, understand the importance of employer branding and can advise companies on strategies to attract and retain the talent required in order to make your company stand out from the rest, and be the first port of call for the most highly skilled candidates of the future.
The problem we are now facing, and which will only increase as we continue to climb out from this recession, is that of the severe mismatch of skills amongst the candidates and the jobs available. Certain industries are faring worse than others – energy, technology and engineering sectors to name a few, but all companies who want to be attracting the crème de la crème of candidates to their doors in the future, and retaining them, need to use this time to look seriously at what they are doing to brand themselves now, so as not to lose out on the race for talent in the next few years. It will without doubt be the companies who have managed to retain the most skilled staff and attract the most talented candidates, who will see themselves continuing to grow successfully in the future, rather than stalling and stagnating post recession.
The first strategy of employer branding is the proposition or ‘promise,’ and it is getting this right that will lead the most suitable candidates to your door. Using a recruitment agency to assist in the employer branding process holds significant benefits for your company, and Jobshop UK are able to provide powerful consultancy support, enabling us to help you create a ‘signature’ proposition to candidates. The next step is to devise steps that lead your employees to choose to stay within your company and not be tempted elsewhere. The skill of successful employer branding is to articulate this deal in a way that is distinctive, compelling and relevant to the individual and to ensure it is delivered throughout their life cycle at your company.
Our unique position within the recruitment industry gives us the knowledge and experience to help you create the strong employer brand you need. For further information and to discuss how we can help your company, please call 01202 674488.
