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The New Dictionary of Hiring

Message-Market Fit

/MES-IJ MAHR-KIT FIT/
  NOUN

Message-Market Fit is how well an employer's actual message answers the questions and priorities of the people it needs.

MEANING

An employer message can be true, beautifully written, warmly received by leadership and completely irrelevant to the people you're trying to hire.

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Congratulations on the alignment.

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Now ask whether it changes how those people understand the opportunity. Does it answer something they care about? Does it give them a reason to consider you over an actual alternative? If not, the message may have achieved consensus inside the company without making a dent in the market.

Defined by:
James Ellis,
Employer Brand Labs
Category:
Choice
The New Dictionary of Hiring card: Message-Market Fit, noun. How well an employer's actual message answers the questions and priorities of the people it needs. Abstract iridescent glass shape on a white background.

MAKE THE CHANGE

Instead of:
Judging employer messaging primarily through internal approval.
Ask:
Does this message matter enough to influence the people we're trying to hire?

EXAMPLE

Leadership loves a campaign about being 'innovative and collaborative.' The people the company needs most want to know how much authority they'll have and what they'll actually get to build.

HOW TO USE IT

Test messages with a specific talent group against the decisions that matter to them. Keep what changes understanding or preference; stop defending copy because an internal committee likes it.

SAY IT TO LEADERSHIP

We've agreed on the message internally. Now we need to find out whether it helps the people we need make a decision. If it doesn't, alignment hasn't bought us much.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH

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James Ellis
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