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The New Dictionary of Hiring

Choosability

/CHOO-ZUH-BIL-I-TEE/
  NOUN

Choosability is how clearly the right people can see credible, relevant reasons to choose your company over real alternatives.

MEANING

The goal of employer brand isn't to be attractive to everybody. That would be impossible and, frankly, suspicious.

‍

The useful goal is to be choosable to the people the business actually needs. Can they see what they'll get, what they'll have to give, who does well there and what makes this opportunity worth choosing? Good employer branding makes those answers clear. It helps the right people say yes, and lets the wrong people say no before anyone wastes six interviews.

Defined by:
James Ellis,
Employer Brand Labs
Category:
Choice
The New Dictionary of Hiring card: Choosability, noun. How clearly the right people can see credible, relevant reasons to choose your company over real alternatives. Abstract iridescent glass shape on a white background.

MAKE THE CHANGE

Instead of:
Trying to be attractive to everybody.
Ask:
Why should the particular people we need choose us?

EXAMPLE

A candidate can explain exactly what they'd get from one employer, what the work demands and why the offer fits their ambitions. Another employer just says 'great culture' and hopes that's enough.

HOW TO USE IT

Check whether the people you need can see credible reasons to choose you over their real alternatives. Make those reasons specific in the careers site, outreach, interviews and offers.

SAY IT TO LEADERSHIP

We don't need everyone to think we're wonderful. We need the people our plan depends on to understand why working here would be worth choosing.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH

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James Ellis
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