6 stages of the employee life cycle: retain the best talent

Everything that begins will eventually end and working for an organization is no exception. Because of this, modern HR departments use models to identify and optimize the different stages of an employee life cycle. All the steps matter, from first contact with the company to the day they leave and even after their departure.

, the employee life cycle represents a professional's career path within a single company. Understanding the stages of this journey helps both individuals and the wider company to maximize productivity and fully develop skills.

Carefully managing each employee life cycle is fundamental to making the most of a company's human capital. Below are the stages of this process and their importance.

At Serviap Global, we can help you manage the entire employee life cycle for international professionals in over 100 countries worldwide, including taking care of their payroll and other administrative matters, as part of our employer of record services.

Why is it important to understand the employee life cycle? 

An employee's experience within an organization can be every bit as valuable as that of a customer when it comes to developing the business.

Skillfully managing an employee life cycle allows all team members to mazimise their potential and fully develop their skills. Not only is that good for them, but it helps your company too.

The more information a business has about the paths its professionals take, the more the HR department can design career plans to motivate and reward workers according to their professional life stage.

If a company responds appropriately to the needs of its employees, they will feel recognized and valued, which translates into a better workplace environment for all. Five stages of the employee life cycle happen while they are with the company, plus one either side of joining and leaving.

The 6 stages of the employee life cycle 1. Brand attraction

The relationship between an employer and an employee starts from the first sight of the company's brand and not from signing the employment contract.  So the employee life cycle starts here.

When people first notice a brand and like it, they may consider working for it in the future. That is why firms need to project the right image, properly promoting their mission, vision, and values.

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First impressions count, so a good picture of a business is essential to attract the best talent. 

In today's job market, people think not only about financial concerns but also the ethics of a company, their equality and diversity policies, mental health care, and work-life balance.

2. Recruitment stage in the employee life cycle

The first formal stage in the life cycle of an employee is recruitment, which begins with the job posting, followed by the application and selection process. Finally, it ends with signing an employment contract between the employee and the employer. 

The employer should be thinking about a career plan right from the start of an employee's time with the company. Having an idea of the employee life cycle at this stage will affect what you are looking for in a candidate.

The application process must give the candidate all the information necessary to know if the position is right for them. This helps self-selection and weeds out candidates that may not enjoy the role.

After reviewing the applicants, the right candidate must be selected within a reasonable period. This selection process should consider the eventual path you think the candidate may take within the company after recruitment, not just their current skills and abilities.