Enhancing Workplace Culture through Strategic Recruiting
GLG Insights | Juliana Marques | MAY 22, 2024
Strategic recruiting isn't just about finding people with the right skills; it's about finding individuals who have the skills and resonate with the company's culture. It's a shift from a completely technical assessment to evaluating how a candidate's values and work style align with the existing organizational culture.
Define and Communicate Cultural Values
Strategic recruiting starts with a clear understanding of the organization's cultural values. By clearly defining and communicating these values during the recruitment process, companies can attract candidates who align with the organization's ethos. For example, a study by Kristof-Brown et al. (2005) published in the "Journal of Applied Psychology" found that employees who connect with their organization's culture are more satisfied with their jobs and perform better.
Cultural Agility and Belonging in Hiring Teams
Giving hiring teams the training and tools to assess technical skills is critical. However, successful hiring teams also assess whether or not their organizations are prepared to create a sense of belonging for each candidate. Training sessions can enhance the interviewer's ability to measure the likelihood of cultural agility, community connection, and belonging by ensuring that they carefully assess the organization’s ability to support the candidate's needs, while also evaluating how well candidates align with the organization's values.
Employer Branding for Cultural Alignment
A strong employer brand acts as a magnet for individuals who both respect the organization's reputation and also feel a connection with its cultural identity. Employer branding initiatives can spotlight the positive aspects of workplace culture.
Inclusion as Cultural Pillars
Several studies have shown that an inclusive workplace culture fuels creativity and innovation. With this in mind, strategic recruiting actively seeks diverse talent, fostering an environment where individuals of varied backgrounds are given the opportunity to fully contribute and inform the success of the organization and their own futures.
Conscious Onboarding for Cultural Integration
The onboarding process is crucial in ensuring new hires are seamlessly integrated into the organizational culture. Comprehensive onboarding programs introduce employees to the company's values, norms, and expectations while cultivating a sense of belonging, and preparing each candidate for success.
Improved Employee Engagement
Employees who feel aligned with an organization's culture are more likely to be engaged and invested in their work. This heightened engagement translates into increased productivity and a positive impact on overall workplace morale.
Enhanced Collaboration and Innovation
When employees share common values and goals, they are more likely to collaborate effectively, fostering innovation and creative problem-solving. This leads to a more cohesive workplace culture that encourages open communication and collaboration
Reduced Turnover
Preventing turnover and its impacts including recruitment and training costs, as well as decreases in overall performance is a key priority for all organizations. Strategic recruiting, focused on establishing a culturally agile team, can lead to better employee retention and a stronger connection to the organization, leading to reduced turnover.
Positive Employer Reputation
Companies with a strong and positive workplace culture become magnets for top talent. An excellent employer reputation helps to facilitate the recruitment process and enhances the organization's chance of consistently being the employer of choice in even the most competitive employment market.
Strategic recruiting is an art that can positively influence workplace culture. By aligning recruitment efforts with organizational values, companies can build a workforce that has the necessary skills while contributing to a positive and inclusive workplace environment.