Published April 9, 2013

Abe Cano, Therapist Recruiter, WSI Healthcare

I am one of the lucky few that has the ability to place a new graduate with relatively little to no real world experience.
There is often the chance that someone else's candidate with more experience will get the job versus my "fresh from the books" candidate- but there are plenty of reasons to keep me calling on the senior student lists.

1. New graduates are hungry. 

It's not just the student loan knocking at the front door that keeps them aggressively seeking work, it's also a future full of promise and the opportunity to prove themselves in their profession. I am constantly amazed at the ingenuity and tenacity they have. They are willing to work more with less pay, and are less inclined to complain about it than their more experienced counterparts.

2. Recruiting is about relationships

Many recruiters have that "one" candidate they have placed more than one time. They have spent time grooming their candidate from the earliest stages and there is a fierce loyalty that comes with that. Being there from the earliest moments of their professional career makes you as the recruiter a long lasting connection-- and the first number they dial when suddenly out of a job.

3. Connections, connections, connections

Sometimes it's not always possible to place a new grad with the client base you have, but the potential to gain outside connections with their colleagues, professors or friends is extremely important. It's all about branding and recognition. Use your new grads as referral sources and your eyes and ears to what is happening in the marketplace.

4. Everything I know I learned from...

I have learned a tremendous amount from new graduates and students. They are eager to share their knowledge, and more likely to spend time explaining how their job works than a candidate with years of on the job experience. Most of what I've learned has come from asking the newbies questions about their roles and functions. In the end it's a great way to gain insight without appearing ignorant of the trade (which sometimes may come off as inexperience to a seasoned candidate)

5. Last but not least...

I'm amazed at how many recruiters pass over a resume once they see a recent graduation date. It's true that we must always narrow down our search for the specifics requested by our clients. In this day and age however, with lower hiring budgets, employers are willing to take chances on rising talent. If they feel the candidate has other valuable experience outside of their degree, or if they have excellent interpersonal skills. 

There is nothing more rewarding then having a candidate worth their weight in gold call you years later because you helped them put together a resume on their first job hunt out of college.

Abe is a Recruiter for WSI Healthcare's Therapy Rehab Team.

He lives in Colorado Springs Colorado with his wife and two kids

For more recruiting insight, visit Abe on Google +