Written by Purpose Jobs connects top talent with purpose-driven startups based on values, experience, and culture fit. To attract top talent, Ryan Landau, founder of Purpose Jobs, found that a healthy company culture is crucial, especially for startups. As featured in the 2020 Detroit Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Report, he shares the six attributes that candidates are looking for in a new job.
Guest Post by Ryan Landau, Founder, Purpose Jobs (formerly re:purpose)
Great candidates are, of course, interested in good pay and benefits, but attracting top talent goes far beyond the dollar signs. In their research on collaboration, culture and well-being, Wharton People Analytics has identified the following six attributes as those candidates are asking employers about. Each is an indicator of the kind of healthy company culture that candidates are looking for.
1. Upward Growth and Mobility
When employees feel like meaningful contributors, they happily share their good ideas, debate better solutions, feel open to innovating, and take risks. This can lead to promotions, new developments, or other big opportunities for employers. The bottom line is that employees want to feel valued and empowered to contribute and take ownership—and to know that doing so can be rewarding.
2. Flexibility
People who have autonomy over when and where they work are more likely to be satisfied and productive. It’s a win-win for the organization and the employee. Being flexible with work styles, schedules and remote work also shows candidates that you care about finding environments that promote creativity and productivity, which speaks volumes to candidates.
3. Transparency
Especially at startups, talent is seeking transparency. They want to know about funding, the business model, and they want to feel like they can also be transparent with you, that there won’t be negative consequences if they make a mistake. Candidates crave transparency because they’re looking for an investment. Not necessarily in equity, but in their work. They want to know that the company they’re signing on with has a solid business model and is worth being a part of.
4. Diversity
We all know diversity is a good thing. But candidates aren’t just looking for diversity in terms of race or gender. Diversity should include thought and skill set. A team that brings a diverse range of skills and experiences to the table is a team that can solve problems creatively and push ideas to new heights. It’s a signal of vitality, which is very attractive to top talent because it also provides a unique opportunity for professional growth.
5. Communication and Expectation Setting
Email. Slack. Text messages. The channels for communication are endless. While this can be an advantage, digital communication comes with its own set of challenges. People often have differing styles and preferences, and that’s okay. It just makes it all the more important to set expectations about how the team communicates so that everyone is on the same page.
6. Values Seen in Action
Companies can be really good at talking the talk, but what does their walk look like? Candidates can see right through the companies that don’t follow through on their values. Top talent will look at the behavior of the company to see if what they say aligns with what they do. When they see the company’s values in action, they’ll get on board more willingly knowing the company puts its money where its mouth is.
Visit http://www.purpose.jobs to learn more about Purpose Jobs
Read more in the 2020 Detroit Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Report
