Keywords
Citation
(1999), "Low marks for graduate recruiters", Education + Training, Vol. 41 No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.1999.00441hab.004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Low marks for graduate recruiters
Low marks for graduate recruiters
Keywords: Graduates, Recruitment
The bad graduate-recruiting practice of some of Britain's top companies is highlighted in research which looked at the views of more than 1,000 students on 300 leading recruiting organizations' strategies and on-campus communication.
The study reveals that students are impressed by companies and presenters who care about their work and show professionalism, clarity, purpose, honesty and enthusiasm.
Students are less impressed with organizations which arrive late, or are dull, predictable and monotonous in their presentations. Saying too much about how great the company is, and not enough about what it actually does, is also cited as bad practice.
Students dislike brochures which are too glossy, carry insufficient information, use too much jargon or are seen simply as corporate propaganda. They prefer real-life examples, lots of case studies, clear distinctions between different business functions and meaningful analysis of jobs.
Company Web sites which are inconsistent, patronizing, difficult to navigate and out of date also fail to enthuse students. They prefer sites which are fast, informative, innovative, interactive, dynamic, yet at the same time clear, concise and easy to follow.
The research was carried out by Crown Business Communications, a producer of graduate-recruitment programmes.