At EditMate, we recently hosted a webinar with Nicole Coffey from Floor & Decor, a recruitment marketing expert, who shared 13 employer branding ideas to take your organization to the next level.

In today’s competitive job market, a strong employer brand can set your organization apart, attracting top talent and fostering a culture where employees thrive.

By adopting these 13 strategies, you’ll attract candidates who align with your values and inspire employees to become authentic advocates for your employer brand.

We’ve also included real-life examples from standout employer brands to help you get inspired and take action!

Watch the full webinar and highlight clips from our candid Q&A with Nicole below!

Here’s a recap of Nicole’s 13 Ideas that you can steal for your organization. 

1. Define Brand Advocacy

True brand advocates go beyond simply resharing pre-written posts.

Advocacy stems from genuine engagement, strong values, and a workplace culture that inspires employees to share positive experiences.

With only 23% of employees globally feeling engaged (Gallup), the key is to foster day-to-day experiences that connect with employees’ values.

2. Revamp Your Career Site

Your career site is the gateway for prospective candidates.

Keep it simple and transparent.

For example, Plane’s career site lists reasons to both join—and not join—their team, ensuring alignment with the right candidates.

3. Embrace Behind-the-Scenes Content

Authenticity wins on social media.

Duolingo’s social experiments showcase the value of testing creative content, while Waffle House demonstrates the impact of embracing employees’ organic posts.

These efforts build trust and showcase a vibrant workplace.

What’s on Nicole’s personal Employer Branding Wishlist for 2025:

4. Provide Candidate Packs

Ease interview anxiety with visually engaging candidate packs.

Companies like Lego include essential information such as dress codes and expectations, helping candidates feel prepared and confident.

5. Modernize Employee Handbooks

Employee handbooks can set the tone for your workplace culture. Valve’s handbook celebrates learning from mistakes, while HubSpot’s handbook highlights aspirational values, inviting employees to grow alongside the company.

6. Leverage Personal ReadMe Files

Onboarding tools like ReadMe files allow employees to share their working preferences, communication styles, and productivity tips.

This fosters better collaboration and understanding among teams.

What Keeps Nicole Up at Night When It Comes to Employer Branding and Talent Acquisition: 

7. Enhance Meeting Culture

Ensure everyone’s voice is heard during meetings.

At Microsoft, “Ralph the Rubber Chicken” is used to give speakers uninterrupted time to share their thoughts, creating a more inclusive environment.

8. Make Policies Accessible

Clear, accessible policies build trust and reduce friction for employees.

Ensure documentation is easy to find and understand to avoid confusion and frustration.

9. Build Alumni Networks

Stay connected with former employees through alumni networks.

These relationships foster goodwill and create advocates who continue to speak positively about your brand, even after they’ve moved on.

Nicole’s Most Memorable Experience as a Job Candidate

10. Celebrate Employees with Recognition Programs

Recognition doesn’t need to be expensive.

At Floor & Decor, monthly shoutouts celebrate employees’ achievements, reinforcing a culture of appreciation.

11. Invest in Internal Storytelling

Highlight employee success stories both internally and externally.

Showcasing diverse perspectives not only inspires current employees but also attracts candidates who see themselves thriving in your organization.

12. Use Video for Onboarding

Onboarding videos are a great way to make new hires feel welcomed.

Personal touches, like messages from leadership, add authenticity and build connections right from the start.

Our Employer Brand Crushes

13. Experiment and Iterate

Adopt a “What if?” mindset to encourage innovation.

Embrace small experiments, celebrate successes, and learn from failures.

Incremental changes can lead to significant improvements over time.

Employer Branding Ideas Summary

Building a standout employer brand requires authenticity, creativity, and a willingness to adapt.

Whether it’s simplifying your career site, embracing behind-the-scenes content, or fostering engagement through recognition and storytelling, these 13 strategies can make a meaningful difference.

Start experimenting today, and if you need help creating videos to bring your employer branding initiatives to life, EditMate is here to support you every step of the way. Let’s create something amazing together!