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The New Dictionary of Hiring

Proof Bank

/PROOF BANGK/
  NOUN

A Proof Bank is an organized collection of real evidence that shows candidates what an employer's promises look like in practice.

MEANING

Every employer promise should come with receipts. “We empower people” is a claim. “An engineer six months out of school stopped a production release because she spotted a risk” is a story someone can actually evaluate.

‍

A Proof Bank collects those examples: decisions, experiences, outcomes, numbers and moments that reveal how work really happens. Give recruiters and hiring managers something more useful than another paragraph about your collaborative culture.

Defined by:
James Ellis,
Employer Brand Labs
Category:
Employer Brand
The New Dictionary of Hiring card: Proof Bank, noun. An organized collection of real evidence that shows candidates what an employer's promises look like in practice. Abstract iridescent glass shape on a white background.

MAKE THE CHANGE

Instead of:
Repeating unsupported brand claims.
Ask:
What happened here that proves this is true?

EXAMPLE

A recruiter says people get serious responsibility early. Instead of pointing to a vague values page, they share two real examples of newer employees making decisions that mattered.

HOW TO USE IT

Collect concrete stories, decisions and outcomes from employees. Organize them by the candidate questions they answer, then give recruiters and hiring managers easy ways to use them.

SAY IT TO LEADERSHIP

We keep asking recruiters to sell promises they can't substantiate. Let's give them real examples they can put in front of candidates and let the evidence do some of the work.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH

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James Ellis
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