How Company Culture Impacts Recruitment and 5 Ways to Improve It

Company culture is a vital part of any organisation, and it can be the difference between attracting top talent and struggling to fill positions. To improve company culture for better recruitment, you need to understand what it is, how it affects employees and potential recruits, and what you can do to change it.

This article will discuss the definition of company culture, different types of company culture, and how they impact employees and recruitment. We will also give 5 tips to improve company culture for better recruitment.

If you’re looking for a more hands-on approach to boosting your recruitment efforts, Greys Recruitment Agency is here to help. We are a preferred staffing supplier of blue-chip corporates globally, specialising in white-collar permanent and temporary recruitment. Contact us to learn more.

What exactly is company culture?

For a term thrown around so often by businesses, one must dig deeper to understand what it truly means and how it impacts an organisation. To give you an idea, 46% of candidates believe culture is critical in the application process. This number alone clarifies that company culture is a vital factor in business.

Although it takes on many different meanings, company culture can be defined as the shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs characterising an organisation and guiding its members. It shapes the environment in which employees work and dictates how they interact with customers, clients, and other stakeholders.

Types of company culture

Every organisation is unique, which means company culture will look different from one business to another. There are, however, four main types of company culture:

Autocratic

This type of company culture is very top-down. Employees are expected to follow orders, and there is little room for creativity or independent thinking. This can be an effective company culture for businesses that need to move quickly and decisively, but it can also be quite restrictive.

Democratic

In a democratic company culture, employees are encouraged to share their ideas and opinions. This type of company culture values collaboration and creativity, and it can help foster a more positive work environment. One can already imagine how a democratic company culture might improve recruitment and hiring.

Laissez-faire

This company culture is similar to a democratic one but with even less structure. In a laissez-faire company culture, employees are given plenty of freedom to work independently. This type of company culture can empower employees, but it can also lead to chaos if not managed properly.

Hierarchical

In a hierarchical company culture, there is a clear chain of command, and employees are expected to follow the orders of their superiors. This type of company culture can be quite rigid, but it can also be very efficient.

What type of company culture does your business have? Now that we have a better understanding of company culture in its different forms, we can further identify how it affects recruitment in an organisation.

How company culture affects recruitment

Company culture can have a significant impact on the recruitment process. Candidates are often looking for more than just a job; they want to find a company that shares their values and where they will be happy working.

Strong company culture can help attract top talent, while weak culture can deter potential candidates and make it challenging to attract the level of applications your business needs.

Let’s explore a point-by-point breakdown of the multiple ways company culture can impact recruitment.

The type of candidates your company attracts

The company culture will dictate the type of candidates attracted to the organisation. For example, a company with an autocratic culture will likely attract candidates looking for a more traditional, hierarchical company.

On the other hand, a company with democratic company culture is likely to attract candidates looking for a more collaborative environment. It is important to keep company culture in mind when recruiting to target the most optimal candidates for your organisation.

The ease at which you attract top talent

The company culture will also dictate how easy it is to attract top talent. If the company culture is strong and attractive, it will be easier to recruit top talent. However, if the company culture is weak or off-putting, recruiting top talent will be more challenging.

The quality of applications you receive

The company culture will also impact the quality of applications you receive. If the company culture is attractive, you will likely receive more high-quality applications. On the other hand, if the company culture is not appealing, you are likely to receive fewer high-quality applications.

The attraction and retention of employees

Company culture can also affect the attraction and retention of employees. If the company culture is strong, it will be easier to attract and retain employees. However, if the company culture is weak, it will be harder to attract and retain employees.

Now that we have a better understanding of how company culture can impact recruitment let’s look at some tips to improve company culture for better recruitment.

5 tips to improve company culture for better recruitment

There are many things that businesses can do to improve their company culture and make it more attractive to potential candidates. Here are five tips to improve company culture for better recruitment:

#1 Make company culture a priority

The first step to improving company culture is to make it a priority. Company culture should be an essential part of the business, and leaders should give it attention and resources. Making company culture a priority will show employees and candidates that the company is serious about its culture and is committed to improving it.

#2 Communicate company culture

Another vital step to improving company culture is to communicate company culture. Employees and candidates should be aware of its culture and what it entails. Companies can do this through their values, mission statements, code of conduct, etc.

#3 Encourage employees to live company culture

One way to improve company culture is to encourage employees to live company culture. Companies can provide training and development opportunities, offer incentives, and create company culture ambassadors.

#4 Make company culture visible

Another way to improve company culture is to make it visible. This can be done by creating company culture displays, sharing company culture news, and celebrating company culture milestones.

#5 Involve employees in company culture

Finally, another way to improve company culture is to involve your employees. Companies can do this by soliciting feedback, conducting surveys, and hosting company culture events.

Improving company culture can be a challenge, but it’s worth it if it means better recruitment and hiring more top talent. By following these tips, you can improve company culture and make your business more attractive to potential candidates.

Do you need help with your recruitment?

Understanding the impact of company culture on your business is one thing, but improving your recruitment process to drive actual results takes a little more know-how.

If you need help with your recruitment, Greys Recruitment Agency is the team for you. We are a leading white-collar temporary and permanent recruitment agency with years of experience helping businesses find the right candidates.

Not only do we understand the people-driven ideas of company culture in recruitment, but we also leverage an extensive database of top talent to help businesses achieve their recruitment goals.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can boost your recruitment efforts.