How Do You Target
the Right Candidates?

August 8, 2024 | Employer Branding

You’ve got your climate tech company’s story ready to share. But who are you telling it to?

In case you’re just joining us, we’ve been talking about what an employer brand is, how to develop a strong employee value proposition (EVP), and how to introduce your dedicated team and the unique culture you’ve built to the world. If you’re new to this series and are just starting to think about your employer brand, be sure to check out our previous posts!

This week we’re going to shift gears and talk about reaching the right audience for your message – the talented individuals who will help your company grow and push your technology forward.

But before you start recruiting, it’s crucial to define your ideal candidate persona. This isn’t only about skills and experience; it’s about understanding the motivations, values, and aspirations of the people who will thrive in your company and contribute to your mission. Your EVP can be a helpful starting point for this.

Understanding who that candidate is, what they value most, what motivates them, and their vision for the future helps you speak directly to them. It certainly makes writing a job description a lot easier!

To help you get started, try answering these questions:

1. Why do you need this candidate now? What challenge will they help you and your team solve?
2. What do you want them to accomplish over the next year?
What experience and skills are absolutely essential, almost required, or nice to have?
3. What is their ideal leadership style and how do they communicate?
4. What motivates them at work and beyond?
5. What’s their ideal work environment (remote, in-office, hybrid) and culture?
6. Why would they want to work for a climate tech startup like yours?
7. What do they value MOST?

Once you’ve answered those questions, consider what is absolutely essential or nice to have. The more specific you can be, the more likely you’ll attract the candidates who are the best fit for your company and culture. 

But what’s the next step after you’ve built this ideal candidate persona? How do you translate that profile into a compelling message that resonates with the right talent and aligns with your company’s mission? We’ll tackle that question next week! In the meantime, what questions can we answer for you? 

Investing in your people is one of the most impactful decisions you can make. If you’re looking for your next leader, connect with Chris Berkner.