“I’m handing in my notice.”
“We need to expand the team.”
“I don’t think we’ve found quite the right fit for this position.”
These statements can often leave business owners and HR managers alike pulling their hair out as they embark upon a journey of job postings, CVs and interviews. Not to mention the fact that top-tier talent can be hard to find, never mind secure – especially in the tech sector.
Perhaps a change of mindset can turn things around. Rather than focusing on getting people in, it could be a case of getting your company out there. If done right, PR can have a distinct impact on your ability to attract and retain staff, helping to make your recruitment efforts more effective and efficient and benefiting the business overall.
Here are SIX ways in which PR can help with recruitment (and keep the hair on your head intact)…
1. Building brand reputation
When trying to attract talent, it is beneficial if potential recruits have heard of or are aware of your company. PR can make this happen by generating independent media coverage through press releases, interviews, and thought leadership articles. These can help people to make a decision when deciding which companies to apply to and whether to take a job. Independent media coverage serves as validation/recognition of your brand and helps to build a reputation which is desirable for jobseekers.
2. Being bold with your objectives
PR can help with recruitment if you want to make a real statement and be bold with your hiring objective. Whether you are doubling your sales team or looking for a new member of your senior management team, PR can get the word out. A number of publications cover stories about companies hiring so issuing a press release or media alert could prove effective for getting your requirements out to the right audience. When doing interviews with press, it may also be a good idea to talk about your growth and mention team expansion when hiring to gain more exposure.
3. Showcasing your company culture
It’s important that your communication and messaging aligns with your employer brand. From the job spec for your latest role on your company website to a thought leadership piece about company culture in a technology publication, concise and authentic communication with a clear tone of voice tells the applicant who you are and what you do. This not only promotes your message and boosts the visibility of your organisation to prospective recruits, but it also allows them to decipher whether or not they are qualified and would be a good fit for your business. PR can help with recruitment by defining your objectives and showcasing your culture, ensuring you get the right type of candidate that fits your vision.
4. Networking at events
A more direct way in which PR helps with recruitment is by helping you to identify the right events to attend so that you can network with the right people. Industry events surround you with like-minded individuals working in your sector, allowing you to benefit from their insights and scope out the potential talent. Picture yourself at a conference in a room full of people who work in your industry – it’s the perfect opportunity to make connections, get the word out there that you’re adding to your team, and engaging with prospective candidates. If you want to take it one step further, speaking at one of these events or taking part in a panel discussion could really position you as a specialist in your field and is extremely impressive to those who might be looking for a new role. Check out Ireland’s top tech events for 2025 here.
5. Defining your purpose
A corporate purpose is the distinct ‘why’ behind your business. According to the Harvard Business Review, being able to define this ‘why’ and allowing it to guide your operations and key decision-making has become a ‘cornerstone’ of doing business. Why is this relevant to recruitment you may ask? Because research shows that more and more candidates are seeking purpose from their prospective employers. According to a 2024 study by Deloitte, 86% of Gen Z and 89% of millennials said having a sense of purpose significantly contributed to their job satisfaction. Therefore, defining your purpose and value proposition as a business is not only good for profit margins but is important in attracting and holding onto top tier talent. PR and communications specialists are well qualified to help you to define what your purpose is and develop a strategy to ensure you are fulfilling and communicating it.
6. Strengthening your digital presence
As customers do, when deciding on a provider, jobseekers often search for companies to which they are applying. That means that those without a digital presence – such as a well-designed website or active social media accounts – are at a distinct disadvantage. This is another area where PR can help with recruitment, because it all comes down to producing high-quality digital content and boosting brand visibility. It might even be a good idea to push out testimonials from existing employees across these digital channels. Take LinkedIn for example – your employees have an entire network full of people, accessible through the touch of a button. What your employee chooses to say about you and your business can have an enormous impact on your reputation among potential candidates, so why not involve them in the process? From engaging with your hiring posts to liking and commenting on collateral, this can all help when it comes to recruiting your latest team member.
Whatever role you are hoping to fill, or whoever you are trying to find, PR can play a pivotal role in helping your recruitment efforts. As well as getting your brand out there, it has the potential to enhance the quality and fit of candidates or even connect your directly with prospective candidates. In turn, this helps your business by speeding up the recruitment process and optimising your chances of finding the right candidates. This saves you time and money, whilst bringing top-tier skillsets into your team.
To find out more information or if you’re interested in harnessing the power of PR to support your recruitment efforts, contact the Comit team today.