Attracting top talent to your company is just the first step. You also have to retain new recruits and make them part of your work culture.
The tricky thing is figuring out strategies to accomplish the goal. If a company wishes to hire the best talent there is, it has to do everything it can. After all, it is the talent who holds all the cards in their hands because they usually can choose from multiple companies. And the one that proposes the most attractive offer tends to win.
Let’s take a look at some of the things that a company should have if it wishes to attract top talent. And note that while salary plays a role, it will not have a separate section in this article.
Various Gifts
Various gifts might feel like useless things, but they make a difference. Welcoming new employees with company swag, such as t-shirts or hoodies, provides a sense that they are part of the team.
More practical things like insulated wine tumblers or travel mugs are also a consideration, and it is usually up to the upper management and HR to come up with potential gift ideas.
Of course, showering someone with gifts before they actually start working is not a smart strategy, but a little bit of encouragement should be beneficial rather than harmful.
Opportunities to Train
Improving as a professional is often a driving factor for top talent. If their current employer does not provide opportunities to improve, then the odds are that an employee will not take too long to lose their motivation.
Traveling abroad can be a bit expensive, but there is no need to seek training opportunities abroad. You can hire someone who can visit the company in person and offer various webinars and other types of training on-site.
Remote learning is also an option. The pandemic showed that you could carry out your work remotely, and the same can be said about education.
Positive Work Environment
It is not that easy to achieve a positive work environment, particularly for big companies. There are multiple hierarchies and departments that have different people, and it is often impossible to keep track of everything that is going on behind the scenes, which, let’s be honest, is the biggest source of toxicity.
A top talent might not notice all the negativity surrounding the company early on, but if they get the hang of what is actually going on, it should not be surprising to see a new employee leaving for another company.
A makeover of an entire company’s culture is tricky, particularly if the toxicity stems from the very top of the hierarchy. Nevertheless, it is necessary to find ways to encourage a positive environment so that every employee feels welcome, especially the top talent.
Flexibility in Work Arrangements
Offering flexibility in how one works can go a long way. As already stated, the pandemic showed how remote work is an option.
Naturally, some employees prefer to be in the office because they feel isolated at home. Meanwhile, introverts likely prefer to avoid people, and working remotely is a perfect option for them.
A mixed model in which you work a few days in the office and a few days at home is also quite popular.
The more flexible work arrangements are, the more beneficial it is for a company that is looking to attract new employees and make them feel comfortable.
Friendly Competitions
A little bit of friendly competition can do wonders for one’s motivation. It is possible that top talent is looking for a competitive environment to grow as a professional and compete against their peers.
For instance, if a company is selling something via cold calls, organize a competition to see who can make the most sales in a week.
Obviously, a reward to encourage the competitive spirit should also be on the books, but make sure that the reward makes sense in terms of its value.
Career Opportunities
Moving up the ladder is not on everyone’s agenda, but you can expect that most top talent will not want to remain in the same position at their work. It is especially the case for those starting from mid or lower positions.
Whether someone can reach the top and move up the ladder depends on multiple factors, but such an opportunity should not be denied. Some pursue money, while others love the status and prestige that comes with higher positions in a company.
Modern Policies and Transparency
When it comes to modern policies, environmentally-conscious companies are a good example. Missing such policies can be off-putting for a top talent that wishes to join.
Transparency is another important thing to note. A company might have an excellent public image and great PR. However, reality does not necessarily reflect the public image because once you get inside, you realize what mess you are in.
In other words, companies need to be transparent. Otherwise, it will backfire, and not just in terms of missing out on a potential talent who might have joined.