Running a successful company people want to work for (and buy from) means more than optimizing your product offerings. It’s about having the right people, and the right culture. And our audience of Top Workplaces and organizations that aspire to reach that status, we know 87% of employers say culture influences who they hire. From your first hire to your latest growing pains — even those “are we stuck?” moments — you’ve likely asked yourself:
“How do I attract talent that aligns with our culture?”
Not to worry. Energage is all about breaking down the mystique behind high-performing organizations and making culture something you can actually build. From our research, we’re here to share five practical employer brand hacks that will help you attract amazing talent and keep them engaged. Ready to learn the story behind the numbers? Let’s dive in:
1. Employer brand strategies start with listening
Tune in, because employee feedback fuels great culture
Employee feedback is gold! Your employees already know what’s working and what’s not. Conducting an engagement survey highlights what’s great about your culture and points out where you can improve. They also send a clear signal to your team, saying your voice matters here. Listening to your team gives you a head start.
Use survey insights to attract talent that aligns with your culture
Examine your employee engagement survey insights and focus on the culture strengths that resonate with your ideal candidates. Use your employee voices to shape your messaging and create a work environment that draws in talent that fits.
2. Get leaders to walk the talk, attract talent inspired by it
Leadership values are your employer brand differentiator
Anyone can say “culture matters.” But the best companies prove it, especially at the top.
If you’re a leader, your actions set the tone. Candidates are watching what your company values. To attract and keep top talent, leaders need to live by the values they promote every day. When leadership walks the talk, everyone else will follow. Sure, 94% of employers say their leaders back the culture. But the best ones don’t just back it — they build it.
Ask candidates about leaders who inspire them
During interviews, flip the script. Ask candidates about a leader who inspired them. You’ll learn a lot about the environment they’ll thrive in and whether your culture is a good match.
3. Hire for culture alignment, not just skills
Skills can be trained. But alignment? Not so much.
Hiring the right talent is more than just looking at skills. Look for candidates who align with your mission, values, and team dynamics. When you hire people who believe what you believe, they stay longer, contribute more, and elevate the culture for everyone.
See culture fit before the first interview
Behavioral assessments take the guesswork out of hiring. They reveal how candidates align with your team’s values, strengths, and proven success patterns — helping you hire faster, smarter, and with confidence. No more reading between the lines in interviews. You’ll see who’s wired to thrive in your culture and amplify it from day one.
4. Make your culture impossible to miss
Culture isn't something you say — it's something you prove
Your workplace culture is a powerful reputation builder that attracts top talent (and wins customers too). When job seekers see your culture come to life through employee feedback and authentic stories, they know your company is the real deal. That credibility helps you stand out and attract people who will thrive. Top employers already know this ― in fact, 73% believe culture guides job seekers’ decisions. So don’t just talk about it. Be about it.
Top Workplaces Research Lab Insight
“80% of employers think their culture message hits home — but only one third of candidates are hearing it.”
Let employee feedback tell your story
Turn your culture proof into something candidates can actually experience. Highlight authentic employee survey comments across job posts, your careers page, and social channels. Pair them with behind-the-scenes photos or short videos to create a genuine “Life Here at [Company]” story that gives candidates a clear window into your world.
5. Boost your employer brand to become a talent magnet
Because people trust people
Awards based on authentic employee feedback — like Top Workplaces — are proof that your culture delivers what you promise. That kind of third-party validation carries real weight: it’s 3× more credible than any marketing claim. When your culture earns that level of trust, you attract top talent and win customers who believe in how you work.
Put your proof where people can see it
Don’t let that recognition hide in a press release. Showcase your hard-earned employer awards prominently on your careers page, job posts, and social channels. It’s a simple, high-impact way to show candidates your culture is employee-approved — and a workplace worth joining.
Discover More: How to Build a Careers Page That Converts
Get recognized for the culture you've built
Based entirely on confidential employee feedback, Top Workplaces employer recognition showcases your culture as it really is. There’s no cost, no catch, and no commitment. Just insight, credibility, and the chance to attract top talent who already believe in what you stand for.
Build an employer brand top talent trusts
Nominate your company for Top Workplaces and turn employee feedback into the kind of credibility that attracts top talent — and then keeps them.
