LinkedIn has revealed its first ever list of ‘Attractors’ – companies that are the most desirable to work for throughout Australia.
The list runs through 25 major companies, both local and international, and outlines their workforce and how they attract employees.
The overall list is somewhat varied, but accounting firms and banks dominate the top 10 spaces.
The ‘big four’ accounting and consulting firms feature prominently on the list, with KPMG and PwC at the number one and two positions.
Australia’s supermarket duopoly is not quite as neck-and-neck when it comes to Australians desire to work there, with Coles resting at the fourth spot, and Woolworths at number 24.
According to LinkedIn, a large business like Coles receives more 400,000 job applications a year, citing flexible work policies and benefits like in-store discounts keep the offers coming.
The Commonwealth Bank is number three on the list, with Deloitte, Westpac, Qantas, LION, UGL and CPB rounding out the top 10.
LinkedIn said the list was compiled using data from the professional platform, including “new hire staying power, company reach, member engagement”.
For small businesses that might not have the deep pockets of big businesses, communications expert Catriona Pollard recommends utilising social media to help entice potential candidates.
“One of the great ways for small businesses to show off their workplace is to use social media to share photos and videos of what’s going on,” Pollard says.
“It could just be morning teas or group training sessions, but it’s a great way to display and demonstrate the culture of your workplace”
Although your business may be a ways off reaching the ‘Top Attractors” list, Pollard says founders and chief executives should be connecting with potential employees as much as possible.
“CEOs and senior members of the company should be using social media effectively, as it gives potential employees a feel for the CEO’s values and what they stand for,” she says.
“Even so much as writing articles about how-tos, or stories about the business or even about their lives. You want stories that illuminate the values and culture of your business.”
Pollard believes small businesses are “absolutely not doing this enough”.
“There’s currently a war for talent, and if you’re competing against another business who doesn’t do these things, you’re going to have a huge advantage,” Pollard says.
“This is the difference between attracting good talent, and attracting great talent.”
Dominic Powell is a journalist at SmartCompany and a tech and music geek. When he’s not writing, you can find him reading or browsing record shops.
