Talking = Talent: How Positive PR Attracts Top IT Candidates

Forget the congratulatory calls and emails. The best benefit to being a cover model just may be the improved caliber of job candidates attracted to your company. Just ask Eric Williams, CIO of Catalina Marketing. After Williams appeared on the cover of InformationWeek for a story on big data initiatives, his company received an avalanche of resumes from people skilled in analytics, statistics and data management – specialists they usually have a hard time finding. While not every executive is lucky enough to land a cover story, here are 4 topics you can talk up to draw attention – and talent – to your organization:

1) Cool Projects. John Vlastelica, Managing Director at Recruiting Toolbox Inc., believes that, “The best way to be more attractive is to share compelling stories that reinforce how [top] technologists will come to your company to build stuff that matters, learn, and work on challenging projects.” So if you are working on a show-stopping project in your industry, have inspiring programs like idea incubators to develop new technology, or a killer R&D lab that employees can use for either business OR personal projects, be sure to shout it from the rooftops.

2) A Unique Culture. Everyone’s heard about the Google cafeteria. But take care not to confuse style with substance and get caught up in the “perk wars”. Sure, dry cleaning and dog walking sound cool, but what top tech talent really wants is a place where their intelligence is respected – and rewarded with freedom from micromanagement. Success stories about employees who were given the chance to take an idea and run with (or profit from) it underscores that your company respects autonomy, not automatons.

3) Progressive Job Tools. Techies love their toys, so score points with top achievers by giving them access to the latest and greatest, and teaching them how to use it. If your company invests in cutting-edge equipment and provides educational opportunities like online training, lectures, or in-house/external trainers, speak up.

4) Strong Corporate Vision. Don’t confuse this with micromanagement! Even the best employees need to feel like an organization has direction, and that their work is contributing to a meaningful goal, so play it up if your company has a unique destination and the leadership to get there.

Now that you know what to say, how do you spread the word? Opportunities are everywhere, from traditional media like national and industry pubs, to myriad social media options like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and company or industry blogs. Speaking at relevant conferences gives you another platform for publicity, as does sponsoring community causes or events.

Media coverage does come with risks. It’s crucial that you be honest – misrepresentations or half-truths will do far more harm than good. But talk things up truthfully, and there’s a good chance that some great IT talent will walk in your door.

The experts at Triumph Services have even more great ways to enhance your corporate brand and bolster recruiting. Call today to discuss your needs and be matched with your ideal job candidate!