The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly affected the corporate landscape. Approximately 30% of employees have indicated that their professional and personal lives have deteriorated, leading executives to concentrate more on talent preservation.
Organizations are currently facing challenges in sourcing (and maintaining) talent. While multiple factors in the “new normal” affect employee recruitment and retention metrics, cultivating a strong employer image will safeguard your organization against socio-economic variances.
Here are 3 strategies for employer branding in the “new normal” that will enable you to draw in top talent…and keep your finest employees.
1. Leaders should center on individuals rather than data
The demands of the contemporary workforce are perpetually evolving, particularly in the post-pandemic era. Executives must prioritize the welfare and health of their employees, along with their personal and career aspirations.
Whether staff are still working remotely or have returned to the workplace, leaders should emphasize people rather than data to make more informed choices for their teams. Regular meetings with employees are essential to gauge their satisfaction in the virtual work environment and resolve any issues they may have.
According to the leadership model by Kouzes and Posner, you can inspire and empower your workforce by:
- Delegating authority to reliable employees
- Recognizing individual contributions
- Focusing on their feedback to identify key challenges they are facing
- Encouraging teamwork among remote groups
- Inspiring a shared vision within your team
- Leading by example and making small, daily achievements
2. Alleviate your team’s “work-from-home exhaustion”
Remote work has been advantageous for many. However, it has also posed challenges for organizations attempting to transition to a remote work environment. In the “new normal,” we can anticipate that remote work will continue to dominate. To attract and retain the best talent, it is crucial to enhance remote work within your organization.
It goes without saying that employees are now suffering from work-from-home fatigue. Therefore, employers must concentrate on:
- Improved time management and goal-setting. Following the lead of highly successful business figures like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, it’s vital to plan your day meticulously to secure positive results.
- Employee recognition. A notable instance of employee appreciation comes from Apple, when the company surprised their workforce with extended leave over Thanksgiving.
- Open and transparent remote communication. 3M exemplifies a company that prioritizes removing communication barriers to enhance efficiency and enthusiasm, while also maintaining transparency through one-on-one employee interviews.
- Virtual relaxation and team camaraderie. Hotjar serves as an excellent example of how virtual team-building can be enjoyable and stress-relieving – hosting 15-minute coffee breaks and Wednesday bonfires for the team to foster meaningful connections.
- Empowering individual contributors for success. Acknowledge individuals and their efforts, and empower them. This will free your time and allow them to enhance their own work as well as that of their peers.
3. Implement training and mentorship to retain talent
Another critical piece of advice for employer branding involves investing in employee training and development. You must channel resources into your employees’ professional growth and minimize training expenses without compromising quality or disregarding the distinct needs of your workforce.
To attain this, you can:
- Create internal training programs instead of hiring external consultants
- Establish a mentorship initiative to prepare employees for advancement
- Solicit feedback from employees regarding their career aspirations to enhance your programs
- Design an efficient training process that is repeatable without increasing costs
- Utilize virtual training to eliminate the necessity for a dedicated space, commuting, or specialized equipment, and craft a job aid for your team to assist them in executing their tasks more effectively
By focusing on virtual training and workshops, you can keep expenses manageable while providing an excellent training experience. Investing in your employees’ professional development contributes to a favorable employer brand perception and will add value to your organization.
The more you invest in your workforce, the more they will invest in advancing your business.
Employer branding is essential for effective employee recruitment (and retention) in the post-pandemic landscape. By adhering to these best practices, you can refine your employer brand to attract top candidates while ensuring the progress and satisfaction of your employees.
Why I Composed This?
Ongig’s mission is to assist you in attracting premier, diverse talent. This begins with formulating effective and inclusive job descriptions to enhance your employer brand. Please request a demo for a complimentary analysis of your job postings.
Acknowledgments:
- Feature Photo by Patrik Michalicka on Unsplash
- Work from Home Exhaustion – Why Zoom is Draining (by Brett Knowles)
- Why Leaders Should Emphasize Individuals over Data (by 6Q)
- 5 Effective Methods to Decrease Training Expenses Without Sacrificing Quality (by Jenna Bunnell)
THIS IS A GUEST POST FROM NIKOLA SEKULIĆ OF CONTENT WIZARDS:
Nikola is an experienced brand developer, writer, and storyteller. Throughout the past decade, he’s been involved in various marketing, branding, and copywriting endeavors – devising plans and strategies, creating engaging online and offline material, and bringing ideas to fruition. When he’s not collaborating with clients across the globe, he is delving into new topics and generating innovative ideas to transform into captivating narratives for the online community.
