Employer branding isn't just for tech giants or fast-growing startups.
Educational institutions, from K-12 districts to higher education - are under increasing pressure to compete for top teaching, administrative, and support staff.
In a competitive job market, a strong employer brand can make the difference between attracting qualified candidates or being left behind.
According to LinkedIn's Global Recruiting Trends report, 75% of job seekers consider an employer's brand before even applying.
And in education, where budgets are tight and mission matters, branding needs to be clear, compelling, and rooted in authenticity.
Let's dive into 7 practical and proven strategies you can start using today.
1. Use Vouch to Capture Employee Stories
Vouch is a powerful video tool trusted by companies like Canva, Amazon, and HubSpot.
It's particularly useful in education, where budgets and time are limited, but where storytelling is still crucial.
- Let your current employees and past staff record short videos sharing their employment experiences.
- Use those stories in your career websites, email campaigns, and even job descriptions.
- Equip recruiters with these assets to show real voices, not polished marketing speak.
Why it works: Videos boost SEO, increase candidate engagement, and improve quality of hire by helping candidates self-select based on cultural fit.
Simply ask your faculty: "What makes our school a great place to grow your career?" Then, capture their responses via Vouch and share them on your recruitment channels.
2. Build an Authentic Employer Value Proposition (EVP)
An EVP is more than a tagline. It answers: Why should someone work here instead of anywhere else?
According to the Employer Branding Academy, a clear EVP is one of the central qualities of a successful employer branding strategy.
In education, this might include:
- Commitment to career growth and development
- Emphasis on student impact and social mission
- Supportive community and leadership
- Opportunities for feedback and innovation
Tip: Build your EVP using authentic feedback from staff - gathered through applicant surveys or exit interviews with previous employees.
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3. Showcase Career Growth and Development Opportunities
Career development is a key driver of employee satisfaction and retention.
Yet many educational organizations fail to promote it well.
Highlight:
- Your career pathways for teachers and staff (instructional coaching, leadership roles, etc.)
- Online training or support for further education
- Internal promotions and mobility success stories
Use platforms like LinkedIn and your career websites to tell these stories. Incorporating real Video examples creates a positive employer brand that resonates with prospective employees.
4. Create a Seamless Candidate Experience
Candidate behaviour is shaped by first impressions.
A seamless candidate experience shows you're a professional, dedicated employer from the start.
Steps to improve:
- Audit your Applicant Tracking product or process
- Simplify applications (limit required steps)
- Respond quickly, set up candidate communication automation
- Offer constructive, authentic feedback even to unsuccessful applicants
Why it matters: According to CareerBuilder, 78% of candidates say the candidate experience indicates how a company values its employees. In education, that perception affects both internal culture and public image.
5. Leverage Social Media to Share Real Stories
Employer branding professionals know that social media isn't just for marketing.
It's a place to showcase your organization's culture and community spirit.
Post content on social media such as:
- Employee testimonial video or quotes
- Day-in-the-life content from classrooms or offices
- Celebrations of staff achievements
- Community involvement photos or partnerships
Tools like Vouch, Buffer, Hootsuite, or even Canva can help your HR or communications team manage this content easily. Aim for at least 2–3 pieces of content per week that show your people and culture.
6. Use Employee Advocacy to Boost Reach and Trust
Your employees are your best recruiters.
When they share their positive employment experiences online, it builds trust and expands your reach.
Set up an employee advocacy platform or even a simple Slack channel where:
- HR or marketing can share pre-made social content
- Staff can post about their work freely (with light guidance)
- You celebrate staff voices across platforms
According to Nielsen, employees are trusted twice as much as CEOs when it comes to sharing company messages. In education, that trust is gold.
7. Measure, Improve, and Benchmark Your Employer Brand
A successful employer branding strategy requires constant tuning.
You need to measure perception, satisfaction, and brand health.
Here's how to start:
- Use tools like Glassdoor reviews, applicant surveys, or internal pulse surveys
- Monitor metrics: applicant-to-hire ratio, quality of hire, and new hire retention
- Conduct EVP health checks annually
- Compare your branding with Attractive Employers in your region using peer benchmarking reports or tools like LinkedIn Talent Insights
Consider working with an employer brand consultant or taking an online course from Employer Branding Academy to strengthen your employer brand leadership capability.
Who Are The Top 10 Educational Institutions Worldwide?
Many people underestimate the revenue leading educational institutions make, so here are the top 10 wealthiest educational institutions worldwide, ranked by their endowment sizes as of 2024. These endowments support their academic programs, research initiatives, and financial aid offerings. Please note, this is data from our Vouch research, please just do some further research if you are after more information.
1. Harvard University
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Overview: Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the U.S., renowned for its excellence across various disciplines.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $5.4 billion
2. University of Texas System
- Location: Austin, Texas, USA
- Overview: A public university system encompassing multiple institutions, including UT Austin and UT Dallas, known for its research and educational contributions.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $3.1 billion
3. Yale University
- Location: New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Overview: Established in 1701, Yale is an Ivy League institution recognized for its law, arts, and medical programs.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $4.2 billion
4. Stanford University
- Location: Stanford, California, USA
- Overview: Founded in 1885, Stanford is renowned for its engineering, business, and computer science programs.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $6.8 billion
5. Princeton University
- Location: Princeton, New Jersey, USA
- Overview: Established in 1746, Princeton is known for its strong emphasis on undergraduate education and research.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $2.5 billion
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Overview: Founded in 1861, MIT is a leader in scientific and technological research and education.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $4.2 billion
7. University of Pennsylvania
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Overview: Established in 1740, Penn is known for its business, law, and medical schools.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $3.6 billion
8. Texas A&M University System
- Location: College Station, Texas, USA
- Overview: A public university system with a focus on agriculture, engineering, and military science.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $2.2 billion
9. University of Michigan
- Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Overview: Founded in 1817, it's a leading public research university known for its diverse academic offerings.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $10 billion
10. University of California System
- Location: Oakland, California, USA
- Overview: A public university system comprising multiple campuses, including Berkeley and UCLA, known for research and public service.
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $40 billion
Summary
The education sector is changing fast - from teacher shortages to increased demand for tech-savvy staff, educational institutions must position themselves as employers of choice. Effective employer branding isn't about gloss or gimmicks. It's about showing who you are, what you offer, and how you support the people who make your mission possible.
FAQs
What is employer branding in education?
It refers to how schools and institutions present themselves as great places to work, influencing current and prospective staff.
Why is employer branding important in education?
It helps attract and retain talented educators and staff, especially in a competitive labor market.
How do I measure the success of my employer brand?
Track employee satisfaction, retention rates, applicant quality, and social media engagement.
What is an EVP in education?
An Employee Value Proposition is a clear statement of what employees gain from working at your institution beyond just a salary.
How can we use video in employer branding?
Use tools like Vouch to collect employee stories that showcase real experiences and improve candidate trust.
What platforms are best for employer branding in education?
LinkedIn, Instagram, school websites, and Glassdoor are key channels for employer branding.
Can small schools afford employer branding?
Yes. Even simple actions like showcasing teacher stories or improving candidate communication can make a big difference.
See Why Employer Branding Experts Love Vouch
Loved by companies like Canva, Nike, Cisco, Stryker, HubSpot, Amazon, and more, tools like Vouch make leveraging video for employer branding remarkably easy.
Book a Vouch demo today and chat with a video content marketing experts.
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