Written by: Kari Davis

October 10, 2000

Schooley, Tim. (June, 9, 2000).  “Are you an employer of choice?”  Pittsburgh Business Times.

 Attracting and Retaining Top Talent in Today’s Tight Job Market

In his article, “Are you an employer of choice?” Tim Schooley discusses what it takes to attract and retain top talent in today’s tight labor market.  Joyce Gioia and Roger Herman of the Herman Group, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, have a solution for this phenomenon.  It is called “employer of choice.”  This designation may “…one day let job hunters know which companies are the best employers.”  Gioia and Herman define employer of choice as “a company for which people choose to work when presented with other opportunities.” 

Motek, a software developer in Beverly Hills was named the first employer of choice.  The company has 23 employees who are each given a month off each year and a $5,000 bonus that they must use to travel.  Company founder Anne Price hopes that with these opportunities, employees will broaden their perspectives and feel that they have a balance between work and life. 

The article also discusses what perks influence an employee’s selection for employment.  One of the items that was consistent for young employees was “…the chance to grow professionally.”  Bruce Court, vice president at Development Dimensions International, a human resources consulting firm, agrees that professional development is important, but cautions that without a feeling of ownership to the company, companies risk losing employees after they develop them.  He feels that if employees feel that they are making a contribution that is recognized, they will be more likely to grow and stay with a company.

Some other items that help to make a company an employer of choice include salary and benefits, a company’s reputation, leadership and the culture of an organization.  “If you ignore the culture and the value systems of the employee, and don’t match them to your organization, then you will never be the employer of choice in that employees mind…if nothing else, they should be going to their employees and asking, what are your criteria for an employer of choice?  What are we doing to be one?  What do we need to do better?”  Said Mr. Court.

Gioia and Herman note some quick tips for what it takes to be designated an employer of choice:

1.                  Company reputation.

2.                  Company culture.

3.                  Enlightened leadership.

4.                  Treatment of people.

5.                  Opportunity for career growth and opportunity.

6.                  Meaningful work.

7.                  Compensation and benefits.