How to Recruit Like a Top Ten School

How to Recruit Like a Top Ten SchoolHow to Recruit Like a Top Ten SchoolHow to Recruit Like a Top Ten School MatusonHave you noticed how some colleges and universities are experts in attracting top talent to their schools? unterstellung schools provide employers with some valuable lessons in how to attract top talent.Here are some best practices you can apply to your organizationtorecruit top talent.Image matters. Visit the website of any top ten school and the first thing youll notice are photos of happy students participating in various activities.These images attract prospective students by providing a visualization of campus life. They also aim to engage parents, who are usually involved in important decisions like college or first jobs (think Millennials.)Take a look at your company website. Does it generate interest in your workplace or are you tempted to quickly move on?If not, think about your audience. Who are you trying to attract? Consider putting together some focus group s that consist of the sort of candidates you are seeking and monitor their impressions. Then make adjustments accordingly.Be selective. All of the top ten schools are extremely selective and everyone knows it. They dont hesitate to include their selectivity in their branding. Prospective students know if they are fortunate enough to gain entry into one of these schoolstheyll be part of a community of students who are equally focused.Everyone wants to be on a winning team. Yet todays top candidates can be choosy. They have high expectations for themselves and expect just rewards in return. Be sure your companys online reputation will meet their expectations and that your employer brand reflects that story. Assemble a team of ambassadors. Most campus tours are conducted by a student ambassador whose job it is to engage visitors and leave them with a great impression. Only the best and most enthusiastic students need apply for these jobs, as they are representing the university brand.T he geschftliches miteinander equivalent of these campustour guides are known as brand ambassadors. These are your best and most enthusiastic people. Are these folks participating in your hiring process? Or are you relying on individuals who view recruiting as a chore?First and last impressions count. Make sure the employees who interact with candidates and who conduct interviewsare as excited about working at your company as those student ambassadors are about representing their school.Showcase the best parts of your organization. A college tour wouldnt be complete without a walk through the multi-million dollar student fitness center or the new dining hall that looks more like a restaurant than a place where students dine.Companies often showcase the worst features of their offices. Carefully consider your choice of interview location. Avoid the usual basement or room with no windows. Instead, showcase the best parts of your company so that you are appealing to candidates you are t rying to attract.Respond to all applicants. Even the most selective schools make it a point to get back to all candidates who apply. Although perhaps its not always the nachrichten a prospective student wants to hear, studies show that this type of communication is highly valued.Remember that candidates arefreelygiving you their time and interest. In return, at minimum they deserve a letter telling them that an offer will not be extended. This correspondence is an essential part of the candidate experience. As such it will go a long way toward helping your employer brand.Involve peers in the interviewing process. Top ten schools encourage prospective students to speak directly with students. Many offer candidates the opportunity to spend a day on campus and experience life as a student, thereby allowing them to make an informed decision before committing to a particular school.Similarly, invite your top candidates to spend a day with their prospective team members. Granted, some may choose to work elsewhere after doing so, but thats not necessarily a bad thing. Those who commit will know exactly what they are signing up for when they accept a job offer with your organization. This can provide twobig benefits it will improve your job offers and help to lessen employee turnover.Reconsiderpreviously-rejectedcandidates. Colleges and universities often welcome previously-rejected students with open arms.Many students re-apply and are accepted as transfer students, after gaining experience at other schools.Hiring managers reject candidates for a number of reasons. As candidates mature and business needs change, applicants who may not have been a good fit a year or two ago may be the exact fit today. This talent pipeline will be particularly helpful for seasonal hiring needs.