It’s Time to Take Another Look at Recent Grads

Millions of college graduates are flooding the candidate pool right now in the most uncertain of times. Do you remember how you felt at graduation? Probably REALLY excited, but also extremely scared! Imagine how those graduates feel today!

Today’s graduates are entering the workforce at an unprecedented time in our history. With the economy at its worst since the Great Depression, unease over future prospects is rampant. And while graduates are flooding the candidate pool, organizations are struggling to maximize every recruiting dollar, recruiting only those who are truly necessary to make an impact and to balance cost with the skills and experience needed to drive ROI for your business. In the past, those goals may not have aligned with hiring recent graduates. But many of today’s graduates are a far cry from graduates past Here's why you might want to consider taking another look at new grads:

Recent grads often have real-world experience (and real-world results!)

It’s easy to assume graduates have little-to-no real-world experience. It was likely you lacked experience when you graduated, after all. But today’s talent often has at least some significant, hands-on experience -- and they have the data to back up their results. Traditional internships are still common, but many employers are also stepping up their investment in college talent, paying them to do much more than deliver coffee and organize files.  Going beyond internships, many students volunteered or even worked part (or even full!) time in their chosen fields. There are quite a few nonprofits and small businesses that are open to the prospect of hiring young talent, and students are seeking out those opportunities in droves. The result is a much more polished professional ready to step in and get results for YOU!

They have cutting-edge skills

Whatever your field, having the most up-to-date technical skills in that field is essential to gaining an edge (and getting results) in business today. College graduates have spent years staying on top of the latest trends and learning about the latest tools and technologies. They are as up to date on the skills and trends that will impact your business as they can possibly be. Not only does this mean they’re poised to get immediate results for your business, but their interest in and commitment to staying on top of the latest may also inspire other members of your team to more actively invest time and energy into their respective specialties. 

Recent grads are a clean slate

We all pick up some habits throughout our careers. Each employer has a new set of structures, processes, and people, and new habits can rub off on us. Some of them are good. But let’s be honest here: some of them are bad too. Maybe we check email too often (or not enough). Or we’re prone to that water cooler chit chat. Whatever the case may be, it is often difficult (or even impossible) to change those bad habits. Recent graduates are a clean slate and haven’t had an opportunity to develop those bad habits yet. They’re ready for you to help shape and guide them as professionals. This can save you a lot of effort and can definitely impact productivity. 

Their excitement is contagious

It may sound a little clichéd, but recent grads have an excitement that is palpable! They are excited about your company, the job, their opportunity to grow and give back All of it They can’t WAIT to work for you. Remember, these graduates are savvy. They’ve done their research and know just about everything about your business. They looked at your job posting and others like it to understand how it fits into the overall scope and goals of your organization. And they understand your expectations (plus how they meet them).

They’re likely more prepared than anyone could possibly be when stepping into a new role. This means that they’re much more likely to step in and quickly become your next superstar. As an added bonus, the excitement and enthusiasm they bring to the table are downright contagious. The rest of your team won’t be able to help but smile more, get a little more pumped about that meeting or project, and pay that enthusiasm forward to the next team member. As a result, retention improves. Productivity improves. And your office becomes a better place to work. It’s a win all around!

The right ATS is essential for landing top talent. 

Without the right recruiting technology, attracting top talent -- recent graduates or otherwise -- is an uphill battle. At BrightMove, we built our platform from the ground up to arm you with the latest tools, functions, and compatibility. We simplify your recruiting effort to maximize productivity and ROI. See for yourself - schedule a demo with a member of our team today.