Higher Ed Podcasts: Branding & Talent Acquisition
This text advocates for using podcasts to improve higher education employer branding and talent acquisition. Key benefits include humanising the institution, attracting diverse talent, and improving candidate quality through greater transparency. A well-planned podcast strategy, incorporating insights from current employees and showcasing career paths, can reduce recruitment costs and boost employee engagement.
The analysis draws heavily from insights provided by Jarrod Kanizay, CEO of AcademicJobs.com, a key player in this field.
Key Themes:
Podcasts as a Strategic Tool for Higher Education Recruitment:
The primary theme is the emergence of podcasts as a vital tool for talent acquisition in higher education. Unlike more traditional recruitment methods, podcasts allow institutions to:
Improve their HR toolkit: Podcasts offer learning opportunities for HR in personnel management and recruiting.
Build a Loyal Audience: Podcasts allow for greater discoverability and attract inquiries from potential candidates, nurturing a loyal following.
Attract Top Talent: By showcasing institutional values and culture, podcasts help institutions stand out in a competitive job market.
Reduce Recruitment Costs: A strong employer brand attracts qualified candidates, reducing hiring expenses.
Improve Employee Engagement: They offer employees a platform to share experiences, increasing engagement and acting as brand ambassadors.
Jarrod Kanizay highlights that podcasts are becoming the "new go-to marketing tool for talent acquisition teams in higher ed".
He estimates a potential reduction in staff recruitment costs by "up to 30%".
He also notes a significant increase in "the chance of a successful hire".
Enhancing Employer Branding Through Authentic Storytelling:
Podcasts allow higher education institutions to move beyond formal images and present a more human face, which can lead to attracting a different kind of talent.
Attracting a Diverse and Engaged Talent Pool:
Podcasts can highlight diversity within the institution by featuring individuals from varied backgrounds, roles, and experiences. This showcases a commitment to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) which can attract candidates who value these principles.
Improving Candidate Quality and Transparency:
The sources emphasize that podcasts improve candidate quality by offering transparency about the institution. As stated by Jarrod Kanizay, "Podcasts can improve the quality of candidates by providing in-depth information about the company's culture, values, and expectations."
Specific ways podcasts achieve this are through:
Expanding Reach and Impact Through Multiple Platforms:
The sources stress the importance of utilising various platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, and institutional websites to ensure the podcast content reaches the target audience. This ensures "potential hires encounter the institution's message multiple times, reinforcing its brand image and values."
This multi-platform approach is critical for ensuring visibility and impact. As the sources suggest, “imagine your podcast being passed around by intrigued and interested professors or research assistants because of the compelling story you have told” and "random higher ed professionals are listening during their commutes and in winding down at the end of a hectic day.”
Strategic Podcast Development is Key:
The sources emphasise the need for careful planning and implementation for a podcast to succeed. This includes:
Defining Target Audience and Goals: Understanding the target audience and clearly setting goals.
Developing a Content Strategy: Determining the podcast format, topics and speakers.
Allocating Resources and Budget: Identifying the necessary resources including equipment, staff and time.
Use www.AcademicJobs.com to Podcast your Brand today.
