Spring cleaning your brand image: A guide for hiring managers
As many take time during spring to refresh their homes, in the professional world, spring can be a great time to evaluate and rejuvenate one’s brand image. If you fall into the category of spring cleaning your brand image this month, keep these 6 tips in mind to help showcase your company as the best choice for candidates and clients to work with:
1. Consult your portfolio
First things first: What do you have? The most important step is to make sure you are up to date with your company’s recent branding assets. Your marketing team will be your best friend when spring cleaning your image. Checking in with the marketing team to make sure your tools are in alignment with your company’s vision can ensure brand consistency and improved brand perception. Ask your team for brand guidelines and request editorial help when needed to better support your image.
2. Evaluate your brand
Take a close look at your existing brand. What messages are you sending to potential candidates? What is the general perception of your company in the job market? Check in with trusted candidates and clients to determine how your messages have been or are currently being received and identify areas of improvement.
3. Define your desired image
Determine how you want your brand to be perceived. Do you want to be known for innovation, employee satisfaction or industry expertise? Clarifying your desired brand image will guide your efforts moving forward. Once you’ve clarified your desired brand image, make sure you are consistently updating and featuring those key points across all touchpoints.
4. Update your messaging
Review your company website, job postings and marketing materials to ensure there’s harmony between that material and your current branding habits. Use consistent language and tone to convey your company's values and culture effectively.
Ask yourself: Is my personal messaging in alignment with my company messaging? Am I following brand guidelines?
5. Optimize your social media presence
Social media plays a significant role in shaping your brand image. Keep your profiles active and engaging by sharing employee stories, company news and job opportunities. Don’t just post your own content, share your team members accomplishments and testimonials as well! Use company advocacy tools to repost company content and share team experiences.
We recommend checking your LinkedIn at least 3 times a week to be sure you are staying up to date on current happenings while also making sure your personal profile is up to date. LinkedIn is a great place to authentically be yourself and share details about your work and your company that may not be featured anywhere else.
Ask yourself: Are my social media profiles engaging and clear? How does my bio and about section highlight not only my capabilities but my company? Am I accurately representing my company’s culture, values and opportunities?
6. Seek feedback and make improvements
Continuous improvement is key to maintaining a strong brand. Regularly seek feedback from those engaging with your company and use it to make necessary adjustments to your branding strategies. This will help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving job market. If you aren’t on the marketing team at your company, share your findings with them and have an open line of communication so they can grow as well and better support you.
Spring cleaning your brand image can be essential for hiring managers who want to stay competitive in the talent market. By evaluating and refreshing your brand, you can attract and retain top talent, thus setting your organization up for long-term success. Keep your branding efforts consistent and stay open to feedback to ensure your brand remains attractive and relevant.
Happy spring cleaning!