5 Irresistible Employer Brand Messages For 2014
This volatility is now impacting workers, and as a result subtle and sometimes major shifts in candidate and worker expectation are occurring every year, or every few years. And, employers must ensure to assess, and if necessary, recalibrate their brand message on a yearly basis if they are to maximisz their attractiveness to the market place and avoid being seen as stagnant, irrelevant, out of touch and ultimately undesirable. Your employer brand messages need to be relevant and up to date to engage with top talent, and below I have outlined five irresistible brand messages for 2014.
1. Employer Value Proposition (EVP).Some things never change. The EVP has always been and still remains the hallmark of an irresistible brand message, according to the 2014 Employer Branding Global Trends Study Report, with ‘Defining EVPs’ still considered to be the most effective employer branding initiative. So, spend plenty of time trying to establish and communicate the key qualities that make you different, and stand out from the crowd.
2. Honesty.Many employees remain emotionally scarred as a result of the broken promises and the lack of communication that occurred during the enforced financial restructuring that was commonplace during the recession. Trust has, therefore, been eroded and it is unsurprising that the Employer Branding Survey from Randstad shows that 78 percent of workers value honesty in employers above all else. Does your employee brand messaging espouse honesty?
3. Reliable and Secure.As a result of the long period of job insecurity and market instability that went hand-in-hand with the long recession, it should not come as a surprise to you that 71 percent of employees prioritize reliability and security in their potential employers. Do your employer brand messages espouse reliability and security?
4. Authenticity.The Randstad survey also showed that a major problem with many employer brand messages is that they are just that, messages, and the employer fails to follow through with this in reality. Your employer brand needs to be authentic (particularly in this climate of all round mistrust), and candidates must believe that your firm does what it says on the tin by showing concrete examples and statistics of employee living and breathing your brand values – otherwise workers may not believe your brand message, devaluing your brand.
5. Your business is a great place for talent to invest themselves.Some things never change. Back in 2012, Employer Brand Internationa l showed that skill development, fair pay, and interesting work encouraged employees to stay. The 2014 Employer Branding Global Trends Study (mentioned above) reports similar findings today, with career development being the top priority. However, studies show that in the post-recessionary climate, employees are becoming less defensive, the emphasis is shifting from job security and employees are keen to start pushing for competitive pay again. Does your brand message convincingly demonstrate what a great investment your firm is and that employees will be able to grow and progress?
These are my five irresistible employer brand messages for 2014, which I believe employers need to be espousing in order to connect with the modern talent pool.