Getting your business brand right during the interview process is crucial, we are working in a candidate short marketplace – and right now, employers are having to work harder than ever to attract candidates to their companies.
Branding is more vital than ever before.
But…
It isn’t hard.
Yet, easy to get wrong.
Brand?
When I talk about brand, I mean your companies culture – its personality. That is what you are looking to weave into their interview to leave prospective hires feeling good about your business.
Identify what your business stands for and prepare competency based questions to support those values.
Know what is great about your company.
Not everyone has the budget of a large blue chip, but that shouldn’t make you less appealing. Ensure you know where you stand on flexible working, company benefits and what that would mean to an applicant.
For example, I worked with a candidate once who was an ardent traveler, she had several job offers on the table, all with great businesses. She chose the one who offered a Friday finish at midday during the summer, predominantly because the hiring manger took the time to understand her passions and interests and highlighted to her how their company culture could really support her hobby.
Show off
When interviewing, make sure that you show off your culture, walk candidates around the office, let them get a feel for the business from their desk to the kitchen. Ensure your brand is ingrained into your business walls so it sells itself.
Little things – that can make a difference.
Be Social
As a recruiter, I advise all my candidates to research the company they are interviewing for. This will mean reading your website, looking at your Facebook, scrolling your Instagram and looking at LinkedIn and Glassdoor reviews.
Do you honestly know how they will all portray you?
Do they reflect your business as you want it to be seen?
If you are a smaller business, these things may be overlooked, but it is important to check them out, and ensure they are shouting about all the great reasons to work at your company.
And don’t…
Things that can easily go wrong, and leave a candidate with a poor impression of your brand include:
Lateness for the interview
Poor quality interview rooms
Lack of preparation for the interview
No feedback, or non-detailed feedback – this is probably the most important! You may not want to employ this person today, but who knows what the future holds… If someone has taken time to come interview with you – take the time to give them appropriate feedback, be it positive or negative.
Looking to get a better understanding of how to brand your business in interview?
Give Signet a call, we will happily share our experience with you and help you build a better brand identify through the recruitment process.