Project management

Employer branding measures " 11 steps & tips ✓

How can you strengthen your employer brand and attract the best talent? Discover 11 effective employer branding measures that will help you stand out from the competition and optimise your recruitment strategy.

Employer branding measures " 11 steps & tips ✓

Find out in this article how you can develop a strong employer branding strategy with 11 tried-and-tested steps and valuable tips. These measures are crucial not only to attract qualified applicants, but also to attract and retain talented employees for your company in the long term. Immerse yourself in the world of employer branding and optimise your recruiting strategy in times of skills shortages.

Table of contents - What you can expect:

Employer branding measures
ZEP for a strong employer image
Typical mistakes in employer branding


What exactly is employer branding?

Employer branding is a strategic initiative of the HR department that aims to build and maintain an attractive employer brand. Through targeted measures, a company aims to appeal favourably to potential applicants, retain its existing workforce and position itself as a preferred employer in a competitive environment. Small and medium-sized companies can also benefit from employer branding by increasing their attractiveness as an employer.

Internal vs. external employer branding

Employer branding pursues two central objectives: external image and internal corporate culture. External employer branding aims to attract new employees through targeted measures and to make the company attractive to potential candidates. Internal employer branding The internal culture, on the other hand, focuses on retaining existing employees, increasing their satisfaction and promoting a positive corporate culture. Both aspects are equally important, as a strong internal culture radiates positive effects to the outside world.

Employer branding measures: 11 steps to a strategy

In times of the Shortage of skilled labour Employer branding is becoming increasingly important for attracting and retaining qualified employees. 11 effective steps to developing a strong employer branding strategy will help you strengthen your employer brand, stand out from the competition and build an engaged and satisfied workforce in the long term.

Step 1: Identify the values of your company 🔍

What characterises your company as an employer and why should people apply to you? The first step in employer branding is to clearly define your values, vision and employer value proposition (EVP). Your brand must stand for something unique that no one else offers. Use your company history and mission to identify the special added value you offer as an employer.

Step 2: Obtain feedback from all levels in the company 📣

Although employer branding is primarily the task of the HR department, it should be practised throughout the entire company. Ask your employees about their work situation and be open to suggestions for improvement. Use creative minds and positive testimonials for your recruitment campaigns. One Constructive feedback culture and integration at all levels is crucial to successful employer branding.

Step 3: Create a plan to communicate the values to the target group 🗂️

The next step is to communicate your value proposition from step 1 to your target groups in a targeted manner. Analyse your target groups and identify the appropriate contact points to reach them. Use channels such as your careers page, social media platforms and online media to do this, Newsletter, employees as brand ambassadors as well as events and career fairs. A well thought-out communication plan ensures that your messages are disseminated effectively and consistently.

Step 4: Think about a content strategy 📝

Once you have defined your corporate brand and determined the communication channels, the focus is now on content. Decide which content you want to publish when and at what intervals on which channels. Plan your participation in events to present yourself as an attractive employer and create relevant employer branding material such as employee interviews or videos. Regular publications are crucial for reaching and retaining your target group. An editorial plan will help you stay structured and consistent.

Step 5: Use brand ambassadors from your company 🙋‍♂️

Your own employees are your best brand ambassadors. Use their positive feedback and authentic insights into everyday working life, e.g. through interviews or insight videos, to strengthen your employer brand. Make sure they can express themselves freely while you help them prepare for possible questions about the corporate climate.

Step 6: Set up a network 🤝

An employee network, whether through an intranet, chat functions or forums, is particularly valuable for both new and long-serving employees. It promotes dialogue about the workplace and strengthens team spirit through transparent internal communication. A well-functioning network helps employees to integrate quickly and perceive the company as an attractive employer.

Step 7: Use different channels, platforms or events 🌐

To engage effectively with applicants, you should pursue a multifaceted online and offline strategy. Optimise your company website for an outstanding user experience, maintain an informative company blog and present yourself on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. You should also use career networks such as LinkedIn and XING for dialogue with potential candidates. Offline, job fairs and similar events are a great way to strengthen and position your employer brand directly through personal contact.

Step 8: Recruiting: Find suitable employees 👥

In this step, your employer branding measures merge seamlessly with your recruiting strategies. Convincing employer branding often acts as the first point of contact with potential employees and lays the foundation for successful recruiting. If your employer brand is convincing, you can reap the rewards of your efforts in the form of highly qualified and motivated employees.

Step 9: Make the application process positive ✨

The employee journey plays a central role in employer branding as it encompasses all touchpoints during the application process. A user-friendly online application process with a maximum of three steps, quick feedback and a streamlined selection process are crucial to making a positive impression on applicants. In addition, the Onboarding be well structured to give new employees a good start and positively influence their perception of the corporate culture.

Step 10: Emphasise the benefits in the company 💡

Employee benefits play a decisive role in the attractiveness of a company. Employer. Even if not all options are realisable like at large tech companies, there are numerous ideas such as discounts for leisure activities, gym allowances, further training courses or sabbaticals that can make your employees much happier. Emphasise these benefits to position your company as an attractive employer and attract applicants.

Step 11: Retain employees for the long term ⚓

In order to retain talented employees in the long term, it is important to continuously work on the employer image - keyword: Retention management. Listen to your employees' feedback to increase their satisfaction and address any challenges. Use internal communication channels to publicise the various benefits and a balanced Work-life balance which also contributes to employee retention.

ZEP and employer branding: Your software solution for a strong employer presence

Modern companies use ZEP for the seamless Time recording and billing in project-orientated environments. This cloud-based software enables employees to manage their Working hours easily via a web-based interface - whether on a PC, laptop or mobile phone. via app. Integration with project management functions ensures that time data is automatically assigned to the corresponding projects, which significantly improves the accuracy and efficiency of billing.

Such a modern and user-friendly solution not only contributes to the Process optimisation but also strengthens a company's employer branding. ZEP enables companies to position themselves as an attractive employer that values modern technologies and an efficient organisation. Workplace design lays. By automating routine tasks such as time recording and the Invoicing companies can offer their employees more time for creative and challenging tasks, which in turn promotes employee satisfaction and loyalty.

These aspects make ZEP a key component in a company's endeavours to strengthen its employer brand and attract talented professionals. After all, a modern and efficient working environment not only appeals to existing employees, but also attracts new talent who are looking for innovative companies that offer their employees the best working conditions.

Typical mistakes in employer branding: what you should avoid!

Successful employer branding is crucial for attracting and retaining talented professionals. However, there are some common mistakes that companies can make. These mistakes can significantly damage a company's image as an attractive employer. Below are some of the most common mistakes and their consequences:

Unrealistic representation of the company Many companies tend to present an idealised image of themselves that does not correspond to reality. When new employees realise that the promised values and working conditions are not delivered, this leads to disappointment and increased resignation rates. Authenticity is the key to gaining and retaining trust.
Lack of communication and transparency A common mistake is inadequate communication about company values, goals and culture. Without clear and regular communication, employees and potential applicants feel insecure and uninformed. Transparent communication creates trust and shows that the company takes its employees seriously.
Inadequate feedback management Companies that ignore or do not actively seek feedback from their employees are missing out on valuable opportunities for improvement. Effective employer branding takes into account the opinions and needs of employees and uses this feedback to continuously improve working conditions and corporate culture.
Lack of adaptation to the market The labour market and the needs of employees are constantly changing. Companies that do not react flexibly to these changes quickly appear outdated. It is important to regularly keep abreast of new trends and expectations and adapt employer branding accordingly in order to remain competitive.

Avoid these typical mistakes to create an authentic, trustworthy and attractive employer image. This will help you secure the best talent and promote a positive working atmosphere.

Conclusion

Strong employer branding is crucial in order to compete for qualified specialists. By consistently implementing the 11 steps described above, companies can strengthen their employer brand and position themselves as an attractive employer. Authenticity, transparent communication and the integration of employee feedback are key factors here.

Modern tools such as ZEP also contribute to Process optimisation and employee satisfaction. Avoid typical mistakes such as an unrealistic presentation of the company and a lack of adaptation to the market in order to create an authentic and attractive employer image. This will not only secure you the best talent, but also promote a positive and committed working atmosphere.

FAQ

What are the differences between employer branding and personnel marketing?

Employer branding focuses on building and maintaining a strong employer brand in the long term in order to make the company attractive to current and potential employees. Personnel marketing, on the other hand, focuses on short-term measures to recruit skilled labour and fill vacancies.

What is an employer branding campaign?

An employer branding campaign comprises targeted measures and communication strategies to increase the attractiveness of a company as an employer. These campaigns aim to strengthen the employer brand, attract qualified applicants and promote employee loyalty.

What does an employer branding concept include?

An employer branding concept includes the definition of corporate values, vision and employer value proposition (EVP), the analysis of target groups, the development of a communication strategy and the integration of employee feedback. It should also include specific measures for internal and external communication of the employer brand and regular performance reviews.

Tanja Hartmann CEP

Tanja Hartmann

Content Marketing Manager at ZEP

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