Company Reviews: Why it is Crucial to Request employee reviews
An Employee Review of a Company is an online opinion provided by past or current employees, based on their experiences, and is usually posted on platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, and Google. These Employee Reviews provide insight into aspects of a company such as their culture, values, and mission statement, as well as things like benefits they provide - It's a window into what it might be like to work at the company.
In today’s job market, prospective employees research companies they are interested in and read the reviews online. Having positive reviews is an excellent way to attract job seekers! The job seekers’ perception of your company ultimately impacts their decision to apply for open positions, which makes Employee Reviews an incredibly valuable tool for employers.
Online reviews offer valuable insights into what a business is truly like based on the direct firsthand experiences of employees. According to Recruitingdaily.com, “95% of U.S. workers in a recent Indeed survey say that when considering a new job, insight into the company’s reputation is “extremely” (62%) or at least 'somewhat' (33%) important.” Companies can use this to their advantage by shaping their reputation through employee reviews. Others can then see what kinds of values are promoted by the company, what the culture is like, what issues, if any, have come up, and how the company handled them. Positive reviews enhance employer branding, inform potential candidates, and give a company a competitive edge that sets it apart from competitors.
So, how do you encourage your employees to write your company a review on career platforms?
Here are some great tips to get started:
1. Don’t Outright Ask For a Positive Review!
It's crucial for companies to encourage genuine and honest reviews from their employees. Pressuring employees to write positive reviews or writing fake reviews can backfire and harm the company's reputation. It's critical to foster an open and transparent work culture where employees feel comfortable sharing their honest opinions. Assure your employees their identities will be anonymous!
2. Prepare Questions for the Employees to Answer in their Review!
To ease the workload on your employees, create a guide outlining what you want them to cover in their reviews. This will also serve as a way to direct their responses to cover specific topics and aspects of your company you'd like showcased. Some of these questions might be:
Does our company empower and motivate you during your time here?
Are you treated fairly and fairly compensated for your work at the company?
What challenges do you have while working here?
Do we uphold our company mission and values?
What was your favorite project you worked on?
3. Never Ignore Negative Reviews!
When an employee writes about an unfavorable experience at your company, the worst thing you can do is ignore it and not address it head on. Ignoring it will give the impression that your company does not deem it important. Always respond to the review and be proactive. Transparency has the power to change the negative perception of a company to a positive one. If employees see your company actively addressing concerns, they will likely feel more inclined to leave a review.
4. Request Reviews At The Right Time!
It is wise to plan reviews around positive times in your company. These might include upcoming orientations, milestones and anniversaries, promotions, and special events. Employees will be more willing to write a review and present your company in a good light during these times. Also, it is best to reach out to a few employees at a time to keep the reviews spaced out and natural.
5. Ask New Employees!
Encouraging new employees to share their experiences brings fresh perspectives and valuable feedback about your company. It helps identify strengths and areas for improvement that might not be evident to long-time employees. Additionally, their reviews can serve as a helpful resource for other new hires, giving them a glimpse of what to expect and helping them integrate into the company culture more smoothly.
By providing direct feedback from employees, these reviews offer valuable insights into the organization's strengths and weaknesses, enabling companies to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes. Companies that value and respond to employee reviews foster a positive work environment, which leads to attracting top talent in a competitive job market. Negative reviews serve as early warning signs, allowing proactive measures to address potential issues promptly. Company reviews prove to be a powerful tool for companies aiming to thrive in today's dynamic business landscape and draw in the best talent candidates.
Need assistance? Contact our Talent Acquisition team!
References:
Chaney, Bryan. “How to Ask Employees for Company Reviews.” RecruitingDaily, 1 Dec. 2022, recruitingdaily.com/how-to-ask-employees-for-company-reviews/.
Pollack, Stacy. “The DOS & Don’ts of Asking for Reviews - Glassdoor for Employers.” Glassdoor for Employers, 19 Aug. 2019,
www.glassdoor.com/employers/blog/the-dos-donts-of-asking-for-reviews/.