4 Helpful HR Storytelling Tips to Grow Your Team

HR is the driving force in the workplace. It's often up to these hard-working and compassionate professionals to provide new employees with a sense of ease as they integrate into the work culture. There are many transformative approaches from successful HR teams that lead teams through engaging and purposeful careers. Many of these success stories rely on the power of storytelling. So today we’re looking at some HR storytelling tips that you can use to grow your team.
Here we look at 4 powerful examples of HR storytelling techniques and learn how your company can use these winning formulas to its advantage.

HR Storytelling Tips: #No. 1 - Harness the power of social media
4.8 billion people worldwide use social media. And the number of users continues to increase. In the year between April 2022 and April 2023, 150 million new users will be added. So that's an increase of 3.2% in just one year. This growth could be due to social media platforms being easy to use and people valuing the personal experiences they provide.

HR teams can harness the power of social media to target top talent. Specifically, your company can humanize your company's presence to attract potential applicants.

Employee-generated content such as photos from company events, comments from team members, and virtual event invitations are all effective ways to tell the story of a positive workplace culture.

By providing social proof to the modern, tech-savvy workforce, you build trust and enable your team to align company goals with candidates' core values.

HR Storytelling Tips: #No. 2 - Involve the individual
Storytelling at the corporate level is important. However, it is crucial that you engage candidates proactively rather than passively.

Consider how you can structure an open position in a way that empowers new employees to promote your company's values through their actions and contributions. For example, you could provide regular data-driven reports on how certain tasks advance a company initiative.

In the world of gaming, there is a term known as a non-player character (NPC). NPCs take a back seat in the cyber world, functioning according to a set script as events unfold. Your employees should never feel like an NPC in the workplace, but rather like an active player helping to shape the development of the story. In this case, your organization’s mission and vision.

As NorQuest College's Chief Culture and Transformation Officer explained, "employers should be careful to select applicants who can reinforce the company's core beliefs - looking not only at how well they align with them, but also whether they have the inclination have the opportunity to expand these values even further."

HR storytelling tips: #3 - Focus on employer branding
Good employer branding strategies make the workplace a satisfying and positive environment for employees. So, to build and maintain a strong employer brand, you can use this two-step storytelling approach:

Developing a sense of belonging that attracts new employees. To tell stories effectively, you can build a good reputation by leveraging employee feedback and stories. This helps paint a clear and positive picture. So if you're looking for new hires to join your team, you can improve your job descriptions by highlighting the special qualities of your work culture. This may include pet-friendly office space, flexible work hours, and priority learning and development opportunities.

Maintaining reputation. The next step in creating a good employer image is to meet employee expectations. So make sure that what was promised when hiring is delivered. Communication is the key to success in this phase. Providing clarity at work, using a consistent tone and message, and explaining the value you provide to your employees will help your company maintain a positive and trustworthy reputation.

HR Storytelling Tips: #4 – Start the journey with a polished JD
The JD is like an entrance gate to your workplace. It is the first part of your HR department’s storytelling. The best job descriptions should therefore be inclusive and welcoming of all talent. Using an automated JD review platform like IceHrm helps eliminate inherent biases so team members are on the same page from the start.

Make your JD interesting and engaging to attract potential applicants. Remember that job seekers typically apply for many positions. So telling a good story in your JD can help your business stand out and differentiate itself from others.

Instead of just listing boring job requirements and qualifications that make candidates feel like they have a job to do, consider the job as an open and honest invitation. It should be like a friendly welcome to a journey where candidates can look forward to good relationships, important tasks and relevant rewards.

IceHrm has a mission to get rid of boring and possibly offensive job descriptions that push away qualified candidates. We think that keeping HR professionals always inspired gives them the motivation and focus to find and keep the most talented people for their company.