As the way we live, work and operate changes on a daily basis, here is a quick overview of what else you can expect when interacting with employers this recruiting season
In previous blogs we’ve covered how recruiters will get to know you, but how else (besides fairs and events) can you get to know them?!
Merch and marketing
Alas, no free merchandise and brochures this coming recruitment season. Whilst this is much more environmentally friendly, and ticks the sustainability box, you might have to buy your own water bottles and highlighter pens next term! So how will employers market themselves in this new world?
They will still be focusing on making their brand stand out and differentiating themselves from competitors, through:
- Help and support: you will likely see employers offering more online support to help guide you with career decisions, working out which role to apply for and making applications. They will do this via videos, virtual events and top tips on their websites and social media:
- Here is an example https://www.forpurpose.ie/graduate-toolkit/ and here, too: https://earlycareersatfidelity.com/interview-process
- Extended recruiting seasons: some sectors are opening their applications now to get ahead with recruitment they know they can commit to. Others will open later once they have a clearer idea of their longer-term recruiting needs and having assessed the impact of the virus and the economy. Hence it will likely be a delayed recruiting season for many firms.
- More flexibility: there may not be so many events booked way in advance, so they can be flexible to student needs. Going virtual has allowed a lot more flexibility for events, and employers are keen to try new ways to get your attention and tell you about their business. If you have ideas, reach out to them or us!
Talking to employers, getting to know the company culture and offices
Whilst not having to travel to the company offices for interviews is more convenient for you as a student, how can you replicate the feeling of walking in through the office doors, and of the atmosphere from the people that you meet?
- Empty offices: employers are trying to provide videos of the workplace, but they need people to be working in the offices to do that – work in progress!
- Connections are key: it will therefore be even more important for you to talk to people who work or have worked at that company to get a deeper understanding for the type of people that work there, what the hours are like, what the expectations and working practises are like.
Community builds trust
Employers have also been putting even more focus on creating online communities:
- Recruiting and networking – for example employers can interact with students through Handshake (where profiles have been made visible to employers) to encourage your applications, or invite you to events).
- Virtual events and internships – to enable you to build your knowledge about them.
- ‘Keep’ warm events – as a prospective new joiner, keeping you involved with the firm by helping you to feel part of their community before you join, and induction training when you do join.
- Less formality – these communities are being run through many different social media platforms such as Facebook groups, online socials and other initiatives.
- Read about employer updates here – hiring numbers, timelines, recruiting processes: https://nextstepsupport.org/employer-updates
Equality and diversity
These new online communities and ways to interact with peers and employers should hopefully make it easier for you if you don’t naturally interact easily face-to-face, or have a network of contacts to support you.
Although there could be aspects of engaging with online recruiting, and interacting with employers that you will find difficult, depending on your situation.
- Please do ask our team at the Careers Service for help on any aspect you’re finding difficult.
- Employers are also there to help support for adjustments to the recruitment process, or access to a virtual event. Here are some tips on how to approach this: http://myplusstudentsclub.com/advice-and-resources/#ebooks
Six ways to get ahead
- Follow organisations on social media and Handshake.
- Delve deep into the company websites to really understand their values, their strategy, their raison d’être.
- Scour the recruitment pages for helpful tips at navigating their recruitment processes and choosing which role to apply to.
- Talk to people. You will be surprised at how accommodating many people will be when asked for advice, and how supportive they are prepared to be in this difficult environment.
- Use the Handshake community, LinkedIn, virtual events, GradLink and people you know to find out names of relevant people to talk to and make connections.
- When you can, test out the commute, and visit the location of the offices to get a feel for the area. Canary Wharf will be very different to a more rural office location.
Reflect: It’s worth asking yourself – what do you want to find out from employers this season. What will help you?
Beware of virtual fatigue!
Whilst a lot of what we have spoken about is online – because of social distancing – beware of virtual fatigue.
Recruitment will likely never be the same again, and many employer processes will remain online long after the threat of the virus has gone. During this intense virtual time – finding ways to do something offline is crucial!
Top tip:
- Read newspapers, books, listening to podcasts, talking on the phone – it’s all so easy to forget we can still do these things!
- Do some of your interview preparation on paper: create flashcards to help revise core information and practice questions.
Take care: When autumn comes around again you will be doing a lot of studying online, as well as recruiting/career development activities – so a sustainable routine of balancing screen time and other activities could save your sanity and screen-fatigue!
