Every year when graduation rolls around companies are looking to hire new graduates that are fresh out of college to supply their workforce with learned applicants. It may be hard at first to get your positions to appeal to these new graduates, as many would be looking for some key things, including benefits, pay, culture, and much more.
But what you have to remember is that it is your job as a company to show what you offer to these new graduates that are seeking out a career. To them, it isn’t just a job anymore like they might’ve had before they graduated. Now, they have their degrees and they’re looking for a great workplace to get their career rolling.Â
Here are 7 ways to make your positions appeal to new graduates to get you more applicants.Â
Use Correct Keywords on Job Boards
The way you explain or describe your job listing on different recruitment sites can be a quick eye-catcher and an easy way to get new hires to apply immediately. No one wants to spend over an hour looking for one position suitable to what they have recently learned or graduated to do.
Due to this, you want to make your posting clear content, using keywords that will attract new graduates with ease. Focus on words that deal with what the job is centered around, what the company is all about, what kind of salary is offered, and if there are bonuses offered too.Â
Promote the Company, Not Just the Job
Most graduates aren’t looking for a job to hold them over for a year or two. They are most likely looking to get started working at a company for, perhaps, the rest of their career. They graduated with a degree in what your company does because they want a future in that field, so it is certain they will want to stick with that.Â
With that being said, you want to promote everything that your company will offer them, besides a great career and good pay. They want to know about the culture, the bonuses and what makes your company stand out from the one down the street.Â
Promote what’s great about your company and why applicants would love to work at a facility such as yours.Â
Make Opportunities within the Company Clear
Everyone needs to start somewhere, but no one wants to stay stagnant at the same place or level for the rest of their lives. Most people want to improve and see what kind of opportunities lie within the company, so they have a clear image of what is in store for them.
You should include a detailed explanation of how they can improve, where they can go from their starting step, and what it takes to get there. You should also let them know if your company offers the means to reach that goal, or if they would have to do outside work to get to the place they want to be.
Make leadership opportunities, promotions, or the ability to move up clear and your company will surely win more applications from new graduates.Â
Open Positions and Postings around Graduation
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It should be very simple to understand that if you are looking to hire new graduates you are going to want to start opening the positions to these jobs and posting the requisitions for them when graduation happens. Keep in mind, the timing of these postings is highly important.Â
If you post too early, none of the new graduates will see it as these postings will fade away in the queue over time. But if you post too late, all the potential graduates could be hired by other companies first! Find out when these new applicants will be graduating from colleges all over and make sure you pick the best time to post requisitions.Â
Once you have the timing right, you can start making the basic outlines to include all of the other details listed here. Just remember to post everything when the timing is right!Â
Develop a Strong Company Culture
Pay and bonuses are great, but what new hires are looking for would be a great culture to work in. Each company has its own developed culture that is basically how everyone works and runs. An open and friendly culture means a happy workplace where everyone knows one another. But with a workplace that is upset all the time, not very friendly, or talkative – problems might occur between co-workers.Â
The culture lays a base or foundation for what the workplace would be like. No one wants to work in a place where they would be angry or sad all the time, fueled by frustration. This would turn off many people within the first week, but with a strong culture that is fueled by fun and joy, you would see a different outcome.Â
Having a strong company culture that shows it is dedicated to its employees would surely gain you more applications and improve employee retention, especially when the hires desire a career and not just a job.
Have a Great Welcoming Structure for New Hires
No doubt most people are nervous when they are starting a new job that they have only heard or read about online or in articles. It is important to develop a great welcoming for any new hires, so that way they gain a better understanding of their new location and their new job while getting to know what’s expected of them.
You can do this by having new hires be shown around in orientation, giving them a tour, and also meeting some friendly faces so they can gain an understanding of the people they’ll be working with. Once they have been shown around and seen a few people, you could show them their workplace, what is expected of them, and that if they have any questions you or others will be there to guide them.
No one wants to be thrown into the water without knowing how to swim, and as one of the representatives of the company, it is your job to ensure they can at least float. But, it would be much better if they could swim. You can do this by building a great welcoming process to make new employees feel right at home.Â
Make Benefits, Bonuses, and Additions Clear
Of course, the basic salary and job description are needed, along with telling the new hires about the culture of your company. But some would compare everything in one company to another, including all the benefits offered.
Due to this, you want to ensure all the extra incentives are clearly described so that any new hire could easily understand what they can accomplish with your team. If you offer a 401K, Quarterly Bonus, Dental, Optical, Medical, or any other benefits, it should be clearly stated within the job application and talked about during orientation.
Many applicants will compare different workplaces to see what will give them the best pay, bonuses, and benefits to fit their needs. This is the time to make sure your company stands out by showing potential applicants all of the perks that come along with joining your team.Â
Getting New Graduates to come to your Company
Getting applicants fresh out of college can be a challenging task since so many would be looking at different workplaces, comparing every little detail to find the best place for them to work and follow their dreams. To make sure your company is on the top of their list, there are some key things you should remember to make your positions appeal to these new graduates.
Try your best to be welcoming and make the bonuses, benefits, and opportunities clear while showing how strong of a company culture you have. These tools will help you promote your company in the best way possible, especially when it gets close to graduation time. Also, don’t forget to use keywords that will appear in a job search, making your company stand out from the beginning.Â
Gabe Nelson is a content specialist of over 7 years of experience, currently working with samii.io. He has a passion and keen understanding when it comes to the HR and recruitment industry. He has written hundreds of content pieces in numerous niches. Currently, he lives in Missouri with his wife and kids.