Many businesses have invested significantly in creating workplaces that are comfortable, convenient and enjoyable places to spend the working day. Yet these features rarely get the attention they deserve in job adverts, careers pages or recruitment briefs.
Think about the things candidates often care about in their day-to-day working lives:
- Free parking
- A location outside Clean Air Zones or congestion charging areas
- Good transport links
- Secure cycle storage
- Air-conditioned offices
- Modern workspaces and breakout areas
- Free tea, coffee and refreshments
- Regular team lunches
- On-site shower facilities
- Social events and company get-togethers
- Easy access to cafés, shops and other local amenities
- Outdoor seating area
- Etc, etc
To employers, these may feel like standard workplace features. To candidates comparing multiple opportunities, they can help paint a much clearer picture of what working for your business is actually like.
One of the biggest mistakes employers make is assuming candidates will discover these benefits for themselves. A job advert may simply state that a role is office-based, while failing to mention the workplace environment and the investment made in employee experience.
Instead of writing:
Full-time office-based role in Bristol.
Consider something like:
Based from our modern Bristol office, this role offers free on-site parking, air-conditioned workspaces, complimentary refreshments and regular team lunches. Located outside the Clean Air Zone with excellent local amenities nearby, we’ve created an environment where employees have everything they need to enjoy a productive and rewarding working day.
It’s a simple change, but it helps candidates visualise what working for your business actually feels like.
Explain the advantages of being together
Every business is different, but examples might include:
- Direct access to experienced colleagues
- Faster learning and development
- Greater visibility to leadership teams
- More spontaneous collaboration
- Stronger team relationships
- A vibrant office environment
- Structured mentoring and coaching
- Better support for those early in their careers
The key is authenticity. Candidates quickly recognise generic statements like “great culture, friendly team”
The same applies when briefing recruiters or TA teams. At ARV Solutions, our team regularly asks clients about practical details such as parking, facilities, transport links, team activities and the overall working environment. We regularly visit our clients so we can give potential employees great insight into the workplace.
These are often the questions candidates ask us, particularly when considering an office-based role. This isn’t about claiming office working is better than home working. Different people value different things.
It’s about making sure candidates understand the full picture. If you’ve created a workplace that people genuinely enjoy coming to, be proud of it. Talk about it in your job adverts, on your website and when briefing your recruitment partners.
Employers shouldn’t feel they need to apologise for having an office-based culture. Equally, candidates shouldn’t be criticised for wanting flexibility. The key is transparency. If the office environment genuinely helps people learn faster, build stronger relationships, develop their careers and offers great place to work – be proud of it. Make sure candidates understand not just where they’ll be working, but why it could be a great place to build their future.
Show them why it’s worth the trip.
