How to Hire A-Players: Finding the Top People for ... - GIT home page

A-players, it can focus on a rigorous process for weeding people out
during the interview process, hire those that fit Google’s A-Player
Profile, and then work assiduously to retain them.
While Google is a premier example of the power of a brand in
recruiting, it is by no means the only company that is able to appeal
to a strong pool of potential employees. Tracy Moore is vice president
of human resources for HOK, one of the premier architectural
firms in the world. HOK works hard to differentiate itself as the best
place to work for world’s top architects, and it has no trouble attracting
job applicants. Tracy gets three to five unsolicited calls
every day from recruiters who want to place candidates with her
company, but she does not need them. HOK receives hundreds
of qualified applications each year because it has such a powerful
brand.
Great brands attract A-players. While you might have yet to
achieve the same kind of name recognition as Google and HOK,
there are ways in which your company stands out from your competition.
Determine exactly what these stand-out factors are and develop
your brand in these areas. A great reputation as a company
that provides superior service, or gives back to the community, or
develops terrific leaders will fascinate potential employees just as it
attracts customers. Cultivating your brand and your reputation will
help you to attract A-players.
Create a Great First Impression
Three Steps to Creating an A-Player Team 53
Don’t overlook the first impression that people receive when they
initially step into your business. Your office’s waiting area, for example,
can be designed to communicate the specific messages that
your customers and A-player job candidates are hungry to hear.
Cenero is a fast-growth, Philadelphia-based company in the audiovisual
design, installation, and events industry. In the lobby, Chief
Executive Rob Gilfillan literally broadcasts the messages he wants
customers and job candidates to see and hear on flat-screen monitors.
The monitors prominently display a graph of the company’s
growth over the past decade. In addition, framed letters from nonprofit
organizations express thanks to the company for its