Enhance your candidate experience this summer: Tips to develop your employer brand

Summer is an opportune time for businesses to focus on enhancing their candidate experience and developing a compelling employer brand. The Talent Board surveyed job applicants about their experience. Of those with a negative experience, 27% would discourage colleagues from applying.

With many organisations delaying hiring until September, having a strong employer brand ready to attract quality candidates in the autumn is key. A good employer brand helps attract and engage candidates. A Wonderful Workplaces survey showed that 94% of candidates consider an employer’s brand when applying for jobs.

LinkedIn findings show that companies with a great employer brand are seeing a 50% reduction in cost per hire as a good employer brand speeds up recruitment. According to Glassdoor, organisations that invest in employer branding are three times more likely to make a quality hire. Employer brand building includes everything from ensuring a positive candidate experience to promoting the company culture on social media.

A strong employer brand attracts top talent, and improving the candidate experience is key to achieving this. Here are some simple yet effective tips to elevate your employer brand this summer:

Focus on candidate experience

Candidate experience is important for employer branding and candidates when they consider your job adverts and job offers. The way firms treat candidates during the hiring process mirrors the way they treat them as employees.

• Streamline the application process: Simplify your application forms and reduce the number of steps candidates need to complete. A seamless and quick application process leaves a positive first impression.
• Transparent communication: Keep candidates informed at every stage of the recruitment process. Regular updates and timely feedback show respect for their time and effort. This helps create a positive experience, even if the candidate is unsuccessful in the application process.
• Personalise interactions: Tailor your communication to reflect the candidate’s individuality. Personal touches, such as addressing them by name and acknowledging their unique qualifications, can make a difference.

Effective social media

Social media plays a crucial role in shaping a company’s employer brand and enhancing the candidate experience.

Showcase company culture:

This can be done with behind-the-scenes content. Sharing photos and videos from the workplace gives potential candidates a glimpse of daily life there. Share behind-the-scenes content, employee stories, and team activities to give potential candidates a glimpse of what it’s like to work with you. This helps them envision themselves as part of the team. Highlighting stories and testimonials from current employees provides authentic insights into the work environment and culture. It shows that employees are valued and enjoy their roles. According to Jobvite data, 34% of people said they would leave a company within the first 90 days if the culture wasn’t as expected.

Share achievements and milestones

Posting about company achievements, awards, and milestones builds a positive reputation. It shows that the business is successful and committed to excellence. Highlighting the company’s involvement in charity work and social responsibility initiatives demonstrates a commitment to making a positive impact, which can help attract GenZ.

Engage with your audience

Respond to comments and messages on your social media channels. Posting engaging content such as polls, Q&A sessions, and live videos encourages interaction. This direct engagement makes candidates feel connected and valued, even before they apply. Engaging with your audience builds a sense of community and shows that you value interaction.

Creatively promote vacancies

Utilise eye-catching visuals and compelling content to promote your job openings. Highlight the benefits and learning and development (L&D) opportunities your company offers. Social media platforms allow for targeted advertising, ensuring that job openings reach the right audience. This increases the chances of attracting qualified candidates.

Time matters

When it comes to social media, responding promptly to comments and messages shows that the company values communication and is approachable. This sets a positive tone for the candidate experience.

Managing company reviews

Over the summer, encourage current employees to leave positive reviews on social media and review sites to help build a strong employer brand. Remember to share positive testimonials and success stories on your website and social media. This builds trust and highlights the positive aspects of working for you. Authentic reviews give potential candidates confidence in the company.

With Glassdoor reviews the norm, corporate reputation matters more than ever. Publicly respond to positive and negative feedback. Showing that you value feedback and are willing to make improvements demonstrates your commitment to employee satisfaction.

Embrace employer branding

The summer months are a great time to enhance your employer branding. Showcase your company culture, testimonials, values, and employee benefits to attract top talent. Implement these simple tips to ensure your company stands out as an employer of choice.

By focusing on enhancing the candidate experience and using social media and company reviews, you can develop a strong employer brand that attracts top talent this summer. A strong employer brand attracts candidates and retains staff.