Employer branding is your firm’s reputation as an employer of choice. It matters more than ever in modern hiring. At Arden White, we specialise in employer branding strategies that help world‑leading organisations engage top talent.
Consider that three‑quarters of UK employers surveyed by CIPD report they acted to improve employer branding. Furthermore, 68% of UK workers cite job security as a leading retention driver. It’s no wonder that having the right employer branding strategy in place is essential.
With that said, are you losing out on specialist engineers or executives? We outline employer branding strategies, map obstacles like skills shortages or candidate choice, and demonstrate how our recruitment expertise across hiring modes helps secure candidates.
What Is Employer Branding?
Your employer brand is the image your organisation projects to current employees, job seekers, and the wider industry. It answers a very important question, which is “why should someone want to work here?”
It’s important to note that this differs from your corporate brand. While your corporate brand speaks to customers and markets your products or services, your employer brand speaks to prospective talent and shapes your talent acquisition strategy.
Put simply, a strong employer brand helps you attract the right candidates, while a weak one can drive them away before they even apply.
Why Is Employer Branding Important?
Employer branding influences everything from application rates to employee loyalty. In an era where top candidates often have multiple offers, businesses need more than competitive salaries to secure the best.
Here are some of the core benefits:
- Attracting Top Talent: Strong brands are magnets for skilled professionals.
- Reducing Recruitment Costs: When candidates come to you, you spend less chasing them.
- Improving Employee Retention: Staff who feel aligned with your brand are more likely to stay.
Now that you understand its value, consider how your current employer brand affects your talent acquisition outcomes. If perception is falling short of reality, it may be time to make changes.
Core Employer Branding Strategies
Let’s explore the practical steps that shape successful employer branding strategies.
Define Your Employee Value Proposition (EVP)
Your employee value proposition sets the tone. It’s the clear, consistent message that communicates what employees gain in return for their skills, loyalty, and performance. A well-defined EVP reflects both tangible benefits (pay, progression) and intangibles (culture, purpose).
When your EVP aligns with what employees actually experience, it builds trust and credibility.
Showcase Your Company Culture
Your company culture is more than a statement on a careers page. Use social media, recruitment campaigns, and behind-the-scenes content to reflect your values. Remember that consistency across channels builds recognition.
Effective employer branding examples include day-in-the-life videos, employee takeovers, or culture blogs that offer a genuine look inside the organisation.
Use Employee Stories and Testimonials
When it comes to authenticity, you cannot beat real voices, so make sure to share success stories, team achievements, or peer recommendations to let candidates see themselves in your workplace. These insights make your business feel relatable and trustworthy.
Improve the Candidate Experience
From the language in your job ads to the responsiveness of your interview process, every interaction matters. A respectful and transparent process tells candidates you value their time.
Keep communication clear. Follow up promptly. And give feedback, even when it’s a no. This doesn’t just support your employer brand – it boosts your reputation across the board.
Invest in Recruitment Marketing
If you're serious about employer branding strategies, put budget behind them. Promote jobs via LinkedIn, niche job boards, and content campaigns that reach your target audience. Partner with recruitment experts who understand how to translate your brand into results.
How to Promote Your Employer Brand
Once your employer brand is built, promotion is key. Here we are going to highlight how to get it in front of the right people.
- Share culture-rich content on digital platforms like LinkedIn and your company website
- Create a dedicated careers section that mirrors your brand tone and EVP
- Encourage employees to act as brand ambassadors through testimonials or referrals
- Highlight your approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Communicate your efforts around sustainability and social responsibility
Doing this consistently reinforces your company culture and helps you attract top talent who share your values.
Measuring Employer Brand Success
To know if your strategy is working, you’ll need to measure it. Set KPIs that reflect your goals and revisit them regularly.
Here’s what to track:
- Application Volume and Quality: Are the right candidates applying?
- Time to Hire: Is the recruitment process getting faster?
- Offer Acceptance Rates: Are top candidates choosing you over others?
- Retention Rates: Are new hires staying long term?
- Employee engagement scores: Do your people feel proud to work for you?
By integrating these metrics into your recruitment marketing approach, you can continually refine your brand message and channels.
Let’s Strengthen Your Employer Brand Together
Recruiting in today’s market isn’t just about filling roles – it’s about becoming the company that top talent wants to join. That starts with strong employer branding strategies.
At Arden White, we’re not just recruiters. We’re experienced engineers and industry insiders who understand what makes technical professionals tick. With over 125 years of combined experience, we offer personalised solutions backed by real-world knowledge.
To find out how we can support your permanent, contract, executive, and international recruitment efforts, give us a call on +44 (0)1202 862777 or reach out via our contact form. We’re here to help you build a brand that attracts the best.