Learn how to tackle 3 key challenges in campus recruiting and attract top young talent!

Changes in campus recruiting

Campus recruiting is the term used for hiring students and recent graduates straight from college or university.

The process of campus recruiting has completely changed in the last few years.

If you want to attract the top young talent, you have to stay up to date on accounting and finance employment trends and challenges.

3 key challenges in campus recruiting (and how to tackle them)

Campus recruiting has completely changed in the last few years. Here are the 3 key challenges in modern campus recruiting:

1. War for young talent

A recent survey from CareerBuilder has found that 74% of employers plan to hire recent college graduates, which is the highest outlook since 2007. This means that the competition for students and recent graduates is escalating to a degree we haven't seen in the last 10 years.

How to tackle this challenge?

Employee referrals are one of the most effective recruiting methods you can use to improve the time, cost and quality of hire. Utilize the power of referrals in campus recruiting by setting up a student referral program. Ask your employees and their family members and friends to recommend great students and recent graduates for your company’s entry-level positions.

Another thing you can do is to establish a long-term relationship with university professors, assistants and career center staff. That way, you can secure a stable income of high-quality referrals every year!

2. Creating an employer brand that attracts younger generations

Many employers are struggling to attract young talent. In fact, according to Collegefeed’s research, 92% of employers believe they have a “brand problem” when it comes to their campus recruiting efforts.

How to tackle this challenge?

One of the best ways to promote your employer brand among university and college students is to offer student internship programs and/or job shadowing opportunities. That way, your company will have a chance to impress young talent with your amazing company culture and the knowledge of your experienced professionals. When your interns return to their universities and colleges, they will serve as on-campus ambassadors who will promote your company among other students. Other great ways to create an employer brand that speaks to younger generations include giving interesting and inspiring in-class presentations and supporting the work of students organizations on campus.

3. Outdated recruiting practices

We now live in a digital world where social media has become mainstream, especially in the lives of younger generations. Despite the digital disruption of on-campus recruitment, many employers still use traditional methods of recruiting students and recent graduates. However, these methods is no longer enough to recruit the best young talent.

How to tackle this challenge?

If you want to be successful at recruiting the best and the brightest students and recent graduates, you need to think beyond on-campus career fairs and posting jobs on campus job boards. Apply recruitment marketing tactics and meet students where they are - online. Use social media to promote your employer brand and attract students’ attention. You should also create a specialized landing page for student and recent graduates on your career site.