If you run a business and you want to make it a big success, you need the right people working alongside you to make it happen. That means attracting the top talent in any way you can.
To help you with this, it is often useful to look at the things that put candidates off working for you, so let’s take a look at some of the most surprising reasons they say “Thanks, but no thanks,” below:
1. Unclean Bathrooms/Facilities
If your bathrooms have seen better days, then you are going to want to get in touch with a good local janitorial company sooner, rather than later. After all, nobody wants to work in a company that can’t even clean the toilets, right? It’s no fun and it doesn’t say good things about you as a business owner. So, sort the facilities out.
2. The Ghost Town Reception
Walking into a reception area only to be greeted by tumbleweeds and eerie silence can be a red flag for candidates. It suggests a lack of warmth and, worse, a shortage of actual humans to interact with. Even if your receptionist is just on a coffee run, ensure there’s a welcoming, human touch for visitors at all times – be it through a friendly note or a digital sign-in that doesn’t feel like entering a maximum-security prison.
3. The Maze-Like Office: Where Am I?
An office layout that resembles a labyrinth from a Greek myth might be cool in theory but is less so in practice. If candidates need a map, a compass, and a ball of thread to navigate through your workspace, it’s not intriguing – it’s confusing. A clear, open office layout not only eases navigation but also encourages transparency and openness.
4. The Tech Time Warp: Welcome to 1995
Nothing sends a potential employee running for the hills faster than outdated technology. If your office tech museum boasts relics like fax machines, chunky CRT monitors, or internet speeds that would make dial-up blush, it’s a glaring sign that your company might be stuck in a time warp. Modern candidates expect modern tools – because nobody dreams of coding on a computer that belongs in “Stranger Things.”
5. The Dismal Break Room: Break Time or Break Spirit?
A break room that’s as inviting as a dentist’s waiting room can be a major turn-off. This space should be a sanctuary where employees recharge, not a reminder of the soul-sucking void. Invest in comfortable seating, good coffee, and perhaps some vibrant plants. Remember, a happy break room equals happy employees.
6. The Culture of Silence: Shh, It’s Too Quiet Here
An office where the silence is only broken by the sound of keystrokes and the occasional cough can feel more like a library during finals week than a dynamic workspace. A company culture that discourages chatter and collaboration can stifle creativity and send a message that robots would be more welcome than humans.
While salary and job perks are significant, the devil – or in this case, the deterrent – really is in the details, but now you know, you can make working for you as attractive as a Hollywood hearthrob.