The PR Agency Brazen is changing the way it attracts graduate recruits. They are giving graduates 15 minutes to "pitch" the exec team - using all the bells and whistles that web 2.0 has to offer. The top pitches will be offered full-time graduate trainee positions.
This is a great way to put their potential recruits to the ultimate test.
There are lots of good examples out there. Some of these "crazy" ideas might work for your company, some of them may not. Have a read. It can work a bit like brainstorming – one idea leads to another and then to another and finally to one that is right for your company and its culture.
- To get noticed, Google sends out pizzas to dorm rooms during exam times .
- Use your top brass, such as your CEO or other top executive, to make a "surprise" offer phone call. This will get your graduate's attention.
- Brainteasers and contest are a great way to attract and screen for talented students. Google posts brainteasers on billboards.
- Star students write papers and win scholarships – you can find these people easily through Internet searches. Just type in something like:" UK engineering scholarship winner".
- Ask your last crop of graduates for their recommendations for potential hires. They are the best position to know.
- Have your Facebook users post notices to their "friends" about your exciting graduate programme and how to apply.
- Professors, lecturers and teaching assistants have the good pulse on bright students. Start a relationship with these people to leverage their knowledge.
- Create mini student "projects" on your web site. These can be case studies (ala Harvard Business Review style) or small contained projects that students can complete and send in for review.
I could go on and on here but I hope you get the picture. If it suits your culture - do something out of the ordinary. You won't regret the results.
Look out for our upcoming "15-minute guide to graduate recruiting" to be published soon. Watch this space.
- Susanna
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