EMBRACING THE WORLD OF EMPLOYER BRAND
#117

Happy New Year folks! (Are we too late saying that?)

Welcome back to the first issue of the year, chock full of EB inspiration and practical tips to get your 2025 off to a flying start — if you’re doing dry January, that is. Don’t drink and fly.

Before we deliver the goods, just a quick note to say we will be reducing our publishing schedule to once a month from here on out. We know, we know, *cries 1000 tears*, but it’s all for good reason! Since we’re quietly beavering away on something we’re dead excited to share with you.

Can’t contain your curiosity? Well… tough. But in our humble-and-not-at-all-biased-opinon, it’ll be worth the wait.

Now, onto the good stuff!

Bowling over Talent with Kellogg’s

See how Kellogg’s made their EB pop with a vibrantly colourful campaign.

We’ve got our nose to the grindstone sourcing the most relevant and valuable information in the employer branding space, but we couldn’t get the best insights without our amazing contributors.

When we collaborate, our world gets larger. We get smarter. Real magic happens.

In no particular order, here are some brilliant chats we’ve had with people who really know their stuff. Go ‘head, dig in.

1. Celeste Sirin - You’re Probably Ignoring this Growing Talent Pool

2. Celinda Appleby - An Unconventional Hiring Method to Hook Talent's Attention

3. Ben Phillips - The Three Golden Rules of Employer Branding

4. Adrian Koehler - Why You Should Stop Being Nice as a Leader

5. William Tincup - How to Engage a Job Candidate Quickly 

6. Alex Her - The Three Minute Survival Guide to Employer Branding

Walk in the candidates’ shoes.

Grab a brew. Search for and apply for a job you are currently advertising and ‘be the candidate.’ As you go through the process, ask yourself what it feels like to find out about the job and your company. What do you think? How smooth is the process?

With candidates, it’s not always about asking “why did they join?” It’s also about asking, “why did they almost not?”

That’s what you need to answer to create an extraordinary candidate experience .

Which character from The Office is your EB archetype

1. 💭You’re a big ideas person: chaotic, a risk-taker, and you’ll never settle for a boring brand that blends in.

    

2. 🫶You’re relationship focussed. You keep things light, fun, and create a culture that feels effortless. Because when people enjoy the job, the brand sells itself.

3. 💻You’re all about the data. You know analysing metrics and fine-tuning your approach makes all the difference. For you, measurable ROI is king.

4. 📕You’re a natural storyteller. Whether through broadcasting employee stories, or building a thoughtful brand narrative, you know how to capture genuine moments that move your talent audience.

[Answers at the bottom]

TRY: What works (and doesn’t work) on LinkedIn?
Smart tips from Bolt’s global EB manager.

READ: Big tech companies are ditching DEI programs
This is why.

WATCH: It’s over 10 years old now…
But it’s still one of the most eyebrow-raising recruitment vids we’ve seen.

TRY: Forbes’ take on “A Day in the Life” videos
How to squeeze the most out of them for your employer brand.

Quiz answers:

1. Michael Scott: Somehow, you manage.

2. Jim Halpert: Stop putting my stapler in jello.

3. Dwight Schrüte: Bears, beets, branding magnificence.

4. Pam Beesly: Walking across hot coals for the job.

ICYMI

Hug 117 - What happens when you give Sephora’s employer brand a makeover?

EVENTS TO EMBRACE

HR.com’s State of Employer Branding
16 January 2025, Online

Enterprise Nation: What is employer branding and why should I care?
11 February, Online

IHR: Unlocking the Power of Data for Employer Branding and Talent Acquisition
18 February 2025, Online