Fresh Faces Wanted
Ah, back to school season. That magical time when students swap their suncream and sandals for textbooks and timetables, signalling the start of your favourite annual sport: the hunt for young talent. If you’re smart, you know this is the perfect time to roll out the welcome mat for fresh graduates and apprentices, those keen youngsters who are just waiting to dive headfirst into the world of work.
Why Bother with Early Careers Talent?
Some might say, “Why should we bother with all this early careers malarkey? Aren’t these graduates and apprentices just obsessed with TikTok and avocado toast?” Well, some of them yes, but they’re also filled with promise, potential and probably more energy than your entire team combined after a Monday morning coffee run. Here’s why you should roll out the red carpet:
Fresh Perspectives: Young talent is great for shaking things up. They come armed with new ideas, fresh perspectives and occasionally, a half-decent playlist. They’ll challenge the status quo, question why things are done a certain way and come up with brilliant solutions.
Digital Natives: If you’ve ever struggled to set up a Zoom call, you’ll know the value of hiring people who grew up with smartphones practically glued to their hands. These digital wizards can navigate tech like nobody’s business and teach you a thing or two about social media.
Loyalty and Growth: Get ‘em young and you’ve got a better chance of keeping them. Invest in early careers talent and you’ll have dedicated employees who grow with your company. They’ll know your culture, your quirks and maybe even where the bodies are buried (metaphorically speaking, of course).
Making Your Company the Cool Kid on the Block
So, you’ve decided to attract some fresh talent. Brilliant! Now, you just need to make sure your company doesn’t look like the corporate equivalent of a pair of socks with sandals. Enter employer branding – the art of making your company look so appealing that young talent will be queuing up around the block. Here are some tips to help you out:
1. Show, Don’t Tell
It’s one thing to say your company is great; it’s another to actually show it. Use social media to give a glimpse into life at your company. Post photos of team outings, quirky office traditions or that time everyone dressed up as superheroes for no reason whatsoever. Actions speak louder than words, after all.
2. Be Where They Are
If you want to catch fish, you go where the fish are, right? The same applies to young talent. Make sure you’re on the platforms they use – LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, you name it. Pop up in their feeds with engaging content that makes them think, “Hey, that looks like a cool place to work.”
3. Partner Up
Team up with universities and schools to get your name out there. Sponsor events, give talks or host workshops. The more students see your brand, the more likely they are to think of you when they’re frantically Googling “graduate jobs” at 2 am.
4. Offer More Than Just a Job
Young talent isn’t just looking for a paycheck. They want careers with meaning, opportunities for growth and workplaces where they feel valued. Show that you offer all this and more and they’ll be more likely to choose you over the company that just has free coffee.
5. Keep It Real
Nobody likes a phoney and today’s young professionals can spot inauthenticity a mile away. Be honest about what it’s like to work at your company. If you’re a bit quirky, embrace it. Authenticity is attractive, so be yourself.
Sealing the Deal
Back to school isn’t just about pencils and planners – it’s the perfect time to attract the next generation of talent. By focusing on early careers attraction, building a strong employer brand and running effective graduate and apprenticeship campaigns, you can ensure your company is the one young professionals want to join. Remember, it’s not just about filling seats—it’s about finding people who’ll help your company thrive. So, grab your best suit, flash a winning smile and get ready to charm the socks off those fresh-faced graduates.
