If you’ve been a savvy job seeker in the past few years, you’ve probably heard of the website Glassdoor.

Giving more transparency for the recruitment and job-hunting industry is what the ‘glass’ in the name is referencing.

The Silicon Valley company provides an online platform where employees (past and current) can anonymously review companies and their management

The website is ideal for job seekers who want an inside look into potential employers. Users can browse through a company’s salaries, interview questions, and the pros and cons for working there (You can check it out here!)

GlassDoor is an excellent resource for candidates – But what are the implications for employers?

Every year, GlassDoor aggregates its own content (company reviews) and compiles a ‘Best Places to Work List’. Based on anonymous ratings and reviews, Airbnb topped the list last year and unsurprisingly, received a massive influx in job applications.


Last year alone, Airbnb received over 180,000 CVs.

Because of the power that GlassDoor’s list has in attracting candidates to a certain company, an increasing number or businesses are taking note of the website (or others similar) and realizing that the reviews cannot be ignored.

According to an article by Forbes, J.B. Kellogg, the CEO of software provider Madwire takes the time to personally respond to reviews on GlassDoor. He’s even gone as far as making changes to company policies based on reviews that have come into the website. For example, Madwire now offers a share of paid time off at the beginning of each month instead of requiring employees to accrue it over time. Kellogg believes that the positive reviews received on GlassDoor have helped him acquire top talent.

But what can you do as an employer to ensure you’d come across positively on Glassdoor?

When done properly, responses on GlassDoor can go a long way toward elevating your employer brand.

If you are in a leadership role with your company – ensure that there are outlets for your team members to give regular feedback. Be transparent, Glassdoor gives employees the option to rate their approval of the CEO.

As well, go as far back as your hiring process. Did you treat applicants fairly? Were people followed up with? Were interviews grueling and uncomfortable? One of the most viewed parts of the site is the section in which employees (or those that didn’t get the job) review the interview process, a section where things can get quite scathing.

Additionally, In an interview with Talent Management, Robert Hohman, Glassdoor founder and CEO explained how employers can engage with reviews:

“I highly encourage employers to thank a reviewer for taking the time to write it. If they highlighted something great you do, you can amplify that and give a little more detail; if they pointed out something that needs to be improved, and maybe you’ve changed it, you can talk about that, or at least thank them even if you don’t agree with what they said because they took the time to review.”

As seen through the rise of Glassdoor, the importance of employer branding cannot be overstated. To learn more about attracting top talent and becoming an employer of choice - Check out one of our FREE resources!