Traditional methods of recruiting graduates are still holding their own
against a rapid expansion of online recruitment tools, according to a new
survey.
The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR)/Barkers National Graduate Media
Audit, asked more than 160 graduate recruiters – who collectively employed
nearly 14,000 graduates over the past 12 months – to rank the most effective
media for recruiting graduates.
Topping the poll were careers advisory services and university careers
service on-campus fairs, although websites Prospects Online, Milkround Online
and Doctorjob were also highly rated.
The survey also reveals that recruiters believe work experience and
word-of-mouth are the most effective ways of influencing graduate opinion.
William Archer, practice head at Barkers Human Resources and author of the
report, said: "Online recruitment is maturing as a medium, particularly
because it represents value for money.
"However, it is important to get the right mix between page impressions
and personal impressions. The challenge for employers is to work out how to
convey the personality of their organisations through the way they communicate
with graduates, both online and in person."
Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, said: "Graduate recruiters
are media savvy – they have to be, with so much choice out there. This audit
will be an invaluable tool for the graduate recruiter’s kit bag as it gives a
real insight into the media that their colleagues and rivals find most
effective."
By Quentin Reade
Top graduate recruitment methods
– Careers advisory services
– University careers service on-campus fairs
– Prospects directory (the directory of graduate employers
throughout the UK)
– Employer presentations
– Work experience
– Prospects Online
– Milkround Online
– Employer mailings to students
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– Skills events
– Recruitment website Doctorjob
