Getting to a point where you’re ready to make a job offer is an exciting time and it’s definitely a highlight for us too, when we get to share the news.
Talented people are very much in demand and as an organisation you’ll need to make sure you get this part right, or run the risk of your star candidate accepting a role elsewhere. A good job offer is ultimately an opportunity to demonstrate all of the things you’ve been talking about during the recruitment process, in terms of the role and your organisation being great a place to work. Getting it right can enhance or reinforce your employer brand too.
What makes a good job offer? In our experience you do this by providing information that goes above and beyond salary and basic benefits information. Having real comprehensive information at this stage can also answer questions that candidates tend to have and reduce the amount of time it takes to get a ‘yes’. And it also shows that you’re genuinely excited at the prospect of them joining your team too!
From our point of view, plus the feedback we get from candidates – what type of information helps make a job offer super-attractive?
Feedback
Be explicit when it comes WHY you’d love someone to join your team. It’s pretty obvious at the job offer stage that they have the skills, experience, values and personality you’re looking for however it’s great to reiterate that - candidates like to hear specifics. What impressed you? What made them stand out? If a candidate had interviews with different people within the organisation – what was the feedback from each?
Be clear about the value they’ll bring to your organisation and the reasons why they’re such a good fit for the role or stood out from the competition.
Salary reviews
Over and above the starting salary, it’s a good idea to have it in writing when there’ll be the opportunity for salary reviews. This might be linked to a probationary period or to other milestones associated with the ever-increasing value they'll bring to the role and your organisation.
Development opportunities
The lack of clear development opportunities and the potential to progress are two of the key drivers people have for leaving a role. As part of the recruitment process, you’ll have more than likely explored your new hire’s future career aspirations and demonstrating how you’ll support those, can make all the difference. Whether that’s outlining training opportunities on offer or being clear what the typical progression routes are within your organisation, can all help.
Give a reminder about your organisation
Great candidates may be in the process for more than just your role. At the job offer stage it’s worth reminding them of your future plans, the team and the environment they’ll be a part of.
Culture and brand
Anyone who’s got to the job offer stage, has no doubt done their homework when it comes to researching your organisation. Through the interview process, hiring managers will have also had the opportunity to sing about the things that make you a stand out place to work. Your job offer gives you the chance to reinforce this, whether it’s showcasing the company socials, opportunities to support the local community or charities, or if like innocent, you’re all about sustainability – highlight the ‘how’.
Benefits
Shout about anything over and above the usual perks that a candidate’s going to expect, particularly if it will give them the flexibility to tailor their package to their particular needs. For example, evidence suggests that Baby Boomers are more likely to be attracted by benefits related to health, whereas Gen Z place more emphasis on wellbeing and financial security. Or it might just be that you’re a dog-friendly employer, that’ll help your new employee save a few £££ on pet-sitting!
Working arrangements
Now more than ever, you need to be clear what, if any, flexible working arrangements there are – including hours and home working – from the outset and for the long term. Expectations have shifted over the last few months and potential employees will want to be clear what, if any options there will be, as things open up.
The upshot is there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to making a job offer. However, our top tip would be to make it as personal/tailored as you can, based on what you’ve learned about the candidate during the recruitment process. The more excitement and enthusiasm you can generate for your role and organisation, the better - and to do this you’ll have to go beyond the salary and holiday entitlement.