The tensions in the recruitment market for “top manager” profiles, resulting from a mismatch between the reciprocal expectations of supply (company) and demand (candidate), made it inevitable for companies wishing to attract talented women and men to ensure the quality of their “employer brand”. This strategy consists in creating an attractive image for the company itself in order to encourage partners, clients, employees and talent to want to work for the enterprise. But the question is… How can companies develop a strong and sustainable employer brand to attract new talents?
Recruitment is more and more challenging. Not because of a lack of candidates on the job market (the United Nations actually projects that global unemployment will rise above 200 million people in 2022), but because most candidates no longer want to work without a purpose, they want to work to give meaning to their lives. In the United States, the phenomenon of the “Great Resignation” has reinforced the difficulties of retaining talented men and women within companies. After a long period of uncertainty due to Covid-19, a huge amount of Americans have left their jobs. In the first quarter of 2022, there were 4 million employees across the Atlantic leaving their jobs each month.
To measure the situation in France, the DARES has carried out a study highlighting that the risk of a “Great Resignation” is “now evoked”, noting that the resignation rate to be expected will be “high but not unprecedented”. With a 2.7% resignation rate, it is the highest since the 2008/2009 financial crisis, but it remains below the levels reached at that time. (see graph 2)
See the article: Recruitment trends for the first half of 2022
With the market in turmoil and candidates’ new expectations of what they want and especially what they don’t want in their work space, the economic situation is making it more difficult to complete recruitments. The proportion of companies reporting recruitment difficulties is skyrocketing. (see graph 5)
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To remedy this problem, they are therefore trying, by all possible means, to attract the best talent to them, through attractive values, social benefits and offering greater flexibility and agility.
Developing a strong employer brand to attract the best talents: a necessity to bend the competition
Whether you are in a VSE or a large listed group, whether you operate in the Tech, Finance, Industry or Business Travel sector, to differentiate yourself and make your organization attractive, you need to shape your “employer brand”.
Imagine missing out on the talent you are looking for because another company offered better social services?
The stakes are high. In a context where the recruitment market is difficult, it is better to avoid massive turnover at all costs. And if you need new employees to generate more turnover with or without the help of a headhunter, it will be necessary to rely on the employer brand to find the best talents. But how do you do that?
Improving your employer brand: what are candidates looking for?
Authenticity must be a priority
Like greenwashing, employer branding should not be idealized. Many companies make their image more attractive to make candidates want to come and work in their environment without paying attention to the reality on the ground. Once there, the candidate who has become an employee is disillusioned.
Transparency and authenticity about the reality of the missions, the environment and the atmosphere are essential so that the candidate can project himself without getting the wrong idea. It can be useful to make a diagnosis of the realities of the company’s environment, culture and values in order to communicate and build its speech.
Working on the candidate’s background
Before making people want to come and work for your company, by describing its culture and working conditions, put yourself in the candidate’s shoes. Making your company attractive starts from the moment they enter. Ask yourself how you can simplify your recruitment and on-boarding processes for your employees.
The logic of seduction
During the so-called “fit” interview, the candidate is not the only one who must seduce. The balance of power has been reversed, so the company must present the advantages of joining its organization to candidates from the very first exchanges.
In addition, besides the remuneration elements, candidates are more and more looking at the working conditions such as flexibility and autonomy. A study by CadreEmploi shows that nearly 80% of executives “plan to become more demanding of their employer, mainly in terms of maintaining a work-life balance (68%) and, logically, the possibility of working remotely (64%)”. Talent expectations are increasingly focused on the feeling of being useful and the feeling of well-being.
Through the Hunter’s Eye: Your company as perceived by the market
If you are a company looking to attract the best talent to join your team, Fitch Bennett advises you in order to improve your employer brand to watch out for:
- Your e-reputation: it is essential that your company can be found via search engines, social networks, dedicated rating sites (Glassdoor; Trustpilot) to display positive reviews as well as a good rating (> 4 stars).
- Your recruitment process: if well organized, efficient and if the meetings are done in a coherent timing, you maximize the chances to converge with the candidates towards a common interest. The people chosen to lead the process must have a direct link with the candidate’s future position (meeting with the N+1, N+2), they must be able to explain the company’s project, the person’s role and highlight the prospects for internal development. Be an inspiring leader to make talented people want to work with you.
- Your commitments: strategic commitments (setting up a CSR pole; partnership with companies in line with your values) commitments made to your employees internally (respect for work/life; offering remuneration in line with the market; offering telecommuting).
3 essential issues that we analyze on a daily basis in our business that will allow you to strengthen your employer brand and attract talented women and men to join your company!
