How To Attract Top Talent To Your Company: A Guide

​Attracting and retaining top talent is one of the most significant challenges facing businesses today. 

Research shows that 73% of employers have trouble attracting talent to their company. This is further complicated by the rising costs linked with turnover, with studies showing losing an employee can cost up to 33% of an employee’s annual salary. This can increase even more if employee turnover is high. 

With an increasingly competitive job market, companies must appeal to potential employees and create an environment which encourages long-term engagement. 

So, how can you successfully draw top talent to your company and keep them on board? The key lies in understanding what drives employees to join and stay with an organisation, creating a workplace that aligns with their expectations and goals. 

This guide on how to attract top talent to your company will walk you through steps to help your business stand out as an employer of choice, helping you attract and retain top talent for the long term. 

1. Define Your EVP

Before you start crafting your recruitment strategy, try to understand what currently makes your company stand out to employees. Your Employee Value Proposition (EVP) should reflect what your current team appreciates most about working with you - and why they choose to stay.

To uncover your company’s competitive advantage, start by gathering feedback directly from your employees. This might be through confidential surveys, focus groups, or one-to-one interviews. Ask them what they value most about their role, what motivates them to stay, and what could make their experience better.

Consider speaking with candidates during interviews to learn why they were drawn to your company and what aspects of your culture stood out. Don’t just focus on salary or benefits - think about intangible aspects of your workplace that employees find rewarding. 

Collaborating with a recruitment agency can also provide valuable insights. As experts in the field, they can share what attracts candidates to your roles, offering an outside perspective on your EVP. 

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2. Create A Strong Employer Branding Plan

A powerful employer brand plays a crucial role in drawing in high-quality talent. With 75% of candidates researching a company’s reputation before applying, it’s a good idea to showcase why your company is a great place to work.

Check that your employer brand is visible across all platforms, including social media, your website, and Glassdoor. A user-friendly career page and transparent insights into company culture go a long way in making a good first impression.

Highlight employee testimonials, company events, and benefits to show what sets your workplace apart. Share authentic stories of employee experiences, career development opportunities, and initiatives that positively reflect your company. 

The power of content - blog posts, videos, and employee spotlights can help personalise your company’s brand, giving potential candidates a deeper understanding of what it’s like to work with you. Engaging content that reflects your company’s values and mission should resonate with top talent. 

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3. Prioritise a Great Onboarding Experience

The onboarding process is more than just several introductory meetings - it’s the basis of an employee's entire experience with your business. 

Just 29% of employees feel fully prepared for their new role and ready to do well in their new role after onboarding. The way you welcome and integrate new hires sets the tone for an employee's journey, affecting long-term success and job satisfaction. 

Rather than a one-off orientation, try to build an onboarding process that spans beyond the first few weeks and throughout the employee’s first year, or even longer.

Clear communication is crucial during onboarding. Be sure that new employees understand their roles, expectations, and performance goals from the start. Establish clear lines of communication for them to ask questions, seek support, or give feedback. Providing resources, like a dedicated mentor, can help them navigate their new environment as well. 

Keep assessing your onboarding process to improve it, based on employee feedback. Continuous updates and improvements will keep new hires engaged and reinforce your company’s commitment to support them from day one onwards.

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4. Maintain Constant Recognition 

Employees need to feel truly appreciated for their contributions to stay motivated and engaged. While salary is important, it won’t compensate for a lack of recognition. 

Create a recognition program that extends beyond the occasional thank you, or gift card on work anniversaries. Celebrate achievements regularly with both public acknowledgement and tangible rewards, showing employees that their efforts are valued. 

A well-designed recognition system should be available to everyone, not just managers. Use a platform where peers can easily acknowledge each other’s contributions, whether they work remotely, in the office, or in hybrid settings. 

Frequent recognition helps create stronger relationships, improves morale, and creates a positive work environment which motivates employees to be part of the team. This kind of working culture helps attract top talent who want to work for a company that truly values their efforts.

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5. Share Your Talent Development Plan

Show potential candidates that your commitment to employee growth goes beyond their initial role. 

Let them know that you have a clear plan for ongoing development and the opportunities available as they progress with your company. Demonstrating an understanding of their current skills and matching them with the right positions helps set them up for early success.

Talent development is essential for individual growth and in scaling a business. When career aspirations align with business goals helps create a mutually beneficial relationship, where the company and its employees thrive.

A strong talent development strategy doesn’t just happen overnight, it’s created in a culture that values collaboration, learning, and sharing knowledge. Employee growth can take many forms, from mentorship programs and continuous learning initiatives to tailor-made online training. 

Skilled candidates are drawn to organisations that offer clear paths for progression and the tools to help them grow, making your company an employer of choice. 

The Bottom Line

Attracting top talent is more than offering competitive salaries - it’s about creating an environment where employees feel valued. Top talent do not just seek job opportunities, they look for an environment where they can grow, thrive, and contribute to a shared mission. 

Investing in onboarding, creating a strong employer brand, and defining your EVP can help attract the right candidates and set your business up for long-term success. 

Are you looking to hire top talent?

Yolk’s Talent Team is a premium service that helps businesses hire efficiently and effectively—whether it’s one hire or a whole team.

With dedicated, market-specialist recruiters on hand, we provide access to exclusive talent pools and hard-to-reach candidates. 

Contact us today to find out more, or check out our other recruitment services on our website.