What Is Employer Branding and Why Is It Important?

Have you ever shared stories of your employees, posted pictures of company outings, or showcased how leadership communicates at an industry event to potential candidates and competitors about what it’s like to work at your company? Now, if this sounds familiar to you then you are already practicing “Employer Branding”– perhaps without even realizing it. 

Are these efforts aligned with your strategy or just happy accidents? 

If you haven't been doing this, it's high time to use its full power.

Let’s first define what “Employer Branding” really means and then understand how a focused approach can significantly enhance your company’s appeal.

What Is Employer Branding?

Employee branding is basically creating your company’s reputation as the ideal place to work. It goes beyond just hiring, it is about building a strong image in the industry to attract and retain the best talents.

And why is it so important?

Well, in this competitive tech industry, a strong employer brand not only helps you stand out but also helps you build a loyal workforce that aligns with what your company is about. 

This strategic move can reduce hiring costs by 43% and strengthen your company's presence in the market, making your team not only employees but also advocates for your brand.

But Why Do Many Companies Still overlook Employer Branding?

Challenge 1 - Underestimation

Many companies think that an immediate action like a product launch or introducing a new service can be more beneficial than employer branding. 

One can counter this by educating leaders on the long-term benefits of employer branding, such as lower hiring costs and better employee retention, which can ultimately contribute to sustained business success.

Challenge 2 - Resource Limitations

Small firms or startups worry about the required investment and dedication. 

For this, they can start small, like enhancing your LinkedIn presence or hosting industry events to showcase their culture.

Challenge 3 - Alignment Issues

Often there can be a mismatch between a company’s internal view and how outsiders see it. 

This also can be solved by regularly collecting and getting employee feedback, ensuring your branding accurately reflects the company image.

But once companies overcome these challenges they still have to figure out the best and most effective ways to build their brand.

What are the Most Effective Strategies to Build a Strong Employer Brand in Tech?

Create Authenticity 

This is all about communicating honestly across all your platforms. This means showcasing the real side of your company by featuring genuine employee stories and their journey on your career page and social media. 

You can also start by hosting 'Ask Me Anything' sessions with leadership on social media to create transparency and approachability.

Employee Advocacy

You can create a #LifeAtCompany hashtag to use in personal and professional posts and build a culture where employees are encouraged to share their positive work experiences or achievements. 

This can be used to encourage your team members to share their own stories or to naturally become company brand ambassadors.

Using Social Media

Try to stay active on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram regularly to post content on your company’s culture and successes.

Share pictures from company events or insights into exciting projects to show achievements and progress. 

Community Engagement

Get involved in the tech community through sponsoring and participating in events and meetups. You can also show your commitment to the tech community by hosting hackathons or any other industry-specific challenges.

This will definitely position your company as an active participant and thought leader in the tech industry and will bring in the 75% of the job seekers who consider employer brand as an essential element while applying for a job.

So let this be your moment of commitment towards dedicatedly practicing employer branding.

All you need to do is take the baby steps and then march like a soldier. 

If you have any questions or have any experience to share, please leave us a comment below. We would love to hear from you!

P.S. If you are already working on your employer branding strategy and looking to be a part of a tech community and participate in job fairs, events, and meetups, then explore the Tech Jobs Fair.