Hiring great employees is never an easy task. Think about all the characteristics they need to possess: the right skills, motivation, engagement, and the ability to work well with others.
You want people who will help your company achieve its goals and be an asset to your team.
It can be difficult to find all of these qualities in one person, which is why it’s important to advertise yourself appropriately as a company. It’s a basic requirement to state what you’re looking for in an employee and what they can expect from you.
However, this is usually not enough to attract the best talent.
This is where an Employee Value Proposition comes into play. In this article, we will discuss what this is, go through some ways to create an effective employee value proposition, and consider some real-life examples so we can understand the concept a little better.
Let’s get started!
What Is An Employee Value Proposition?
An Employee Value Proposition, or EVP, is a statement that defines what an organization can offer its employees. It encompasses the company culture, values, mission, and goals. It’s a way to differentiate your company from others and show potential candidates what you have to offer them.
The purpose of an EVP is to attract great employees and retain them for the long term. A strong EVP will let job seekers know what they can expect from working at your company, as well as what you expect from them.
It’s important to note that an EVP is not the same as a job ad. A job ad is focused on what the company needs, whereas an EVP is focused on what the company can offer its employees.
To illustrate this a little better, let’s go through an example of an Employee Value Proposition and compare it to a job ad for the same position:
- Job Ad: We are looking for a web developer with at least five years of experience. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- EVP: At our company, we value teamwork and collaboration. We are looking for a web developer who is not only skilled in their trade but also willing to work with others and share their knowledge. If you’re the type of person who is always learning and growing, then this is the place for you.
See how the two are different? The job ad focuses on what the company needs, while the EVP focuses on what the company can offer its employees.
5 Ways To Create An Effective Employee Value Proposition
1. Define what makes your company unique and desirable to work for
When creating your Employee Value Proposition, it’s important to think about what sets your company apart from others.
What are the benefits of working for your company? Do you offer competitive salaries and bonuses? Is there room for professional development? Are there perks like free food or gym memberships?
Answering these questions will help you determine what it is that makes your company an attractive option for prospective employees.
2. Consider your company culture and how it can be appealing to prospective employees
Your company culture is the set of values, beliefs, and behaviors that make up the collective identity of your organization. It’s what makes your company unique and should be something that prospective employees would want to be a part of.
Think about what kind of environment you have at your company. Do you focus on teamwork or individual achievement? Do you encourage creativity or criticized it? Do you have a relaxed dress code or are suits required?
Your company culture will play a big role in whether or not someone wants to work for you, so make sure it’s something that would be appealing to prospective employees.
3. Highlight the opportunities available for professional development
Most people want to feel like they’re constantly learning and growing in their careers. They don’t want to feel stagnant or like they’re not reaching their full potential.
When creating your Employee Value Proposition, be sure to highlight the opportunities for professional development that your company offers. This could include things like mentorship programs, training courses, and educational stipends.
4. Promote a healthy work-life balance
In today’s world, more and more people are focused on finding a healthy work-life balance. They don’t want to sacrifice their personal lives for their careers.
In your journey to promote yourself better, emphasize the fact that your company supports a healthy work-life balance. This could include things like flexible work hours, remote working options, and generous vacation days.
5. Offer competitive compensation and benefits
Of course, one of the most important factors prospective employees consider when looking for a new job is compensation and benefits.
They want to know that they’ll be paid fairly for their work and that they’ll have access to good health insurance, retirement savings plans, and other benefits.
Be sure to highlight the competitive compensation and benefits that your company offers. This will show prospective employees that you’re committed to attracting and retaining the best talent.
It’s important to remember that your Employee Value Proposition is not just a list of benefits and perks. It should be a well-rounded portrayal of what it’s like to work for your company.
By taking the time to create an effective Employee Value Proposition, you’ll increase your chances of attracting great employees and setting your company up for success.
Real-Life Examples Of An Employee Value Proposition
Now that we’ve gone over some ways to create an effective Employee Value Proposition, let’s take a look at a few real-life examples. These will help us understand best practices associated with Employee Value Propositions a little bit better:
1. Google: “Do cool things that matter”
This is one of the most famous employee value propositions out there. It’s simple, clear, and to the point.
Google is known for being a company that allows its employees to work on interesting projects that are also meaningful. This is a great way to attract top talent who want to make a difference.
2. Amazon: “Work hard, have fun, make history”
Another well-known example is Amazon’s employee value proposition is all about working hard and playing hard. They want their employees to be passionate and driven, but also to have a good time while they’re doing it.
This mantra attracts those looking for a challenge and wanting to be part of a company that is making history.
3. Facebook: “Move fast and break things”
Facebook’s employee value proposition screams innovation and moving quickly rather than carefully. Think about a company that moves fast; they’re always on the cutting edge and ahead of the competition.
For employees who are looking for a way out of the boring corporate world and into a place where they can really make a difference, this is a great option.
4. Apple: “Think different”
This is another example of a company that is all about innovation. They want their employees to think differently and come up with new ideas that will change the world.
5. Microsoft: “Your potential. Our passion”
This is a very simple but effective statement. It speaks to the potential of each employee and how the company will help them reach it. If you’re an employee at Microsoft, you know that you will be constantly challenged and pushed to reach your potential.
6. IBM: “Think. Create. Code.”
This tagline is more focused on the creative aspects of work. It’s saying that if you come to IBM, you’ll have the opportunity to think creatively and code (which is a pretty big deal in the tech industry).
This contrasts with the more traditional corporate environment where employees are often bogged down by bureaucracy.
7. Deloitte: “Make an impact that matters”
This is probably the most aspirational of the statements. It’s saying that Deloitte is a place where you can make an impact that really matters. And who doesn’t want to do work that has a positive impact on the world?
For employees who are looking to make a difference, this is a very attractive proposition.
Employee Value Proposition: Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what an employee value proposition is and why it’s important.
Creating an effective employee value proposition is a great way to attract top talent to your company. It’s all about stating what you’re looking for in an employee and what they can expect from you.
When creating your own employee value proposition, be sure to keep it simple, clear, and to the point. Think about what makes your company unique and what you can offer that other companies can’t.
Keep in mind that it’s all about attracting the right employees for your company, so make sure you’re targeting the right people.
Consider the following tips about how to create an effective employee value proposition and then take some time to create your own. If you need some help, there are plenty of resources out there that can assist you.