What Matters Most - Trust
We recently had the opportunity to hear numerous presentations from talent acquisition leaders around the world discussing the latest considerations for companies looking to attract their greatest asset – talented people.
If the pandemic revealed anything, it’s that employees have the ability to successfully deliver in their roles remotely. This fact has drastically evolved employers’ viewpoints that extensive autonomy and a new level of trust actually fosters empowerment and commitment. Employees want to prove their worth and have shown this flexibility spurs improved work-life balance and a dedication to adding value.
While some employers are heading back into the office, they’re listening and making changes. The amount of flexibility allowed is profoundly impacting the decision-making processes of candidates exploring new opportunities.
Attracting Candidates with Renewed Focus
· Trust and Agility – As in any relationship, people need a sense of independence while feeling connected and supported. Certainly the pandemic and the necessity of remote work was unforeseen, but subsequently it’s generated global recognition for the power of trust. There is now a long lasting expectation for continued access to the remote set up. Companies will see strong retention and attract new employees if they maintain this structure and can effectively articulate their remote working culture, including ways of fostering consistent connection.
· Stability and Compensation – With recent economic impacts, candidates pursuit for job security and consistent salaries runs strong. An organization’s ability to communicate transparently about the size and health of the business finances is more pressing in the hiring process. Sharing profitability and strategic growth plans heightens the valued sense of trust in job seekers.
· Emphasis on Core Values – Candidates are interested in what a company believes. Does it align with their internal values?
o Equality – The global spread of awareness for inequality in the workplace is a focal point for employers. Increasing education and building robust ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ practices is on everyone’s mind. How can we do better? Candidates are interested in knowing a prospective company has a solid stance and an actionable plan on the topic.
o Mental Health and Well-Being – A sound mind provides the ability to focus. Great improvement and acceptance has occurred in the importance of mental health, well-being and self-care. Companies are evaluating ways to enhance their benefits programs to include fitness, grief counseling, massage therapy, and the like.
o Empathy – As talent acquisition professionals and other stakeholders introduce the values of their company or client, there’s an increased level of understanding, compassion and empathy inherently coming through in conversation. Simply put - get human.
With such fluidity in the market, the lines are blurring as professional lives are being played out in a personal setting. There is a powerful need for an individualized touch to the recruitment process and a sense of alignment to corporate cultures, as job seekers crave congruency with their personal belief systems.