In today's dynamic landscape of the plastics industry, establishing a robust employer brand holds the key to attracting and retaining top-tier talent. Employer branding within the plastics sector revolves around cultivating the company's identity as an employer, encompassing factors such as its distinct workplace culture, core values and the overall journey of its workforce. Notably, a whopping 75 percent of active job seekers, as per industry insights, are inclined to pursue roles at companies that actively nurture their employer brand. Crafting a compelling employer brand not only sets a business apart from its industry rivals but also serves as a magnet for the most qualified and capable candidates in the field.
The following strategies are tailored to harness the power of branding within the plastics industry to captivate and retain exceptional talent:
1. Spotlight your unique company culture: Within the plastics realm, an inviting company culture can be an irresistible allure for potential candidates. Employ your employer brand as a canvas to vividly portray the dynamics of working at your enterprise. Emphasize your company's guiding principles, its overarching mission and the tangible investments made in your workforce's growth. Real-life narratives from current team members provide candidates with an authentic glimpse into life at your establishment.
2. Transparency in recruitment: The ethos of transparency resonates deeply with candidates in the plastics industry. Infuse your employer brand with open communication about your recruitment process, thereby setting clear expectations for prospective hires. Articulate the interview methodologies in use, the anticipated timeline for the process and the touch points where candidates can anticipate updates.
3. Illuminate employee perks: Beyond remuneration, candidates exploring the plastics sector are invariably drawn to the array of benefits offered by an organization. Mold your employer brand to shine a spotlight on the perks you extend, such as health care coverage, retirement schemes and avenues for professional enrichment. Crystallize the particulars concerning paid leave, equilibrium between professional and personal life, and other enticing advantages.
4. Harness the power of social media: Social media emerges as a potent tool for amplifying your employer brand within the plastics domain. Industry statistics illuminate that 68 percent of millennials, 54 percent of Gen Xers and 48 percent of those in the boomer generation scrutinize an employer's social media presence as part of their brand evaluation. Platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram offer avenues to share updates, spotlight your workplace culture, and forge connections with current and prospective talents. The strategic application of visuals and videos can offer an immersive insight into the daily operations at your organization.
5. Foster employee advocacy: Your current workforce holds immense potential as formidable brand ambassadors. Empower them to disseminate their experiences working within your plastics enterprise across social media channels, dedicated employer review platforms and other relevant forums. A notable finding underscores that employee voices carry triple the credibility of CEO statements in discussions about workplace conditions. Outfit your team with requisite tools and resources, such as branded visuals and communication guidelines, to enable them to endorse your employer brand effectively.
In the intricate tapestry of the plastics industry, employer branding emerges as a linchpin for securing and retaining exceptional talent. By putting your distinctive company culture on display, infusing recruitment with transparency, showcasing employee benefits, leveraging social media and cultivating employee advocacy, you pave the way for a potent employer brand. This brand, in turn, magnetizes the finest candidates, fostering enduring engagement and loyalty over the long haul.
David Peterson is managing partners of plastics and flexible packaging at Direct Recruiters Inc. in Solon, Ohio.