Job seekers own your employer brand

Remember when employer brand was something the employer/ad agency controlled?  Not any more.

PEOPLE LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLE

You know what you do when you want to buy something.  Google it, read online reviews, customer feedback, who bought what etc.  Ultimately your decision is swayed by people you do not know and by the actions they take.

YOUR EMPLOYEES SAY IT HOW IT REALLY IS

Even if social networks are blocked employees will have their say.  Other people will hear and discuss.  Opinions will be formed.  It's not what you say you do but what other people SEE you do that counts.  Employees have a voice that can be heard a million tweets away.

YOU DO STILL HAVE A VOICE

Of course the more enlightened organisation knows the discussions are now in the open and will engage.  They'll get their voice heard.  They'll listen and learn.  Things will change for the better - or not.  But at least they are not ignoring the reality.

USER GENERATED JOB ADS

Now the truth is out there take stock of your current job adverts.  Are they real?  If an existing employee in that job was allowed to write whatever they wanted, what would they say?  It may not be as bad as you'd expect and maybe you'd learn something as well.  Who dares wins but do you dare?

WORD OF MOUTH

Social media is scary for many big employers but as more and more recognise the value it adds to the customer journey why not try pushing for a bit of HR Innovation as far as recruitment is concerned.  If job boards are already doing their bit and you still have vacancies something needs to change.

But these are just my views - what do you think?