Cadbury Schweppes is using MP3 downloads and a series of blogs to give potential graduate applicants a deeper insight into life at the organisation.
The world’s largest confectionery company launched its 2007 UK graduate recruitment scheme last week, and is looking to hire 15 new trainees for the three-year scheme.
Last year, the firm, which employs 60,000 people worldwide, ran a series of blogs on its site, offering a glimpse into the life of graduates in different business functions. The blogs attracted more than 60,000 visits, which led to nearly 4,000 graduate applications – a 50% increase on 2004.
The 2007 graduate recruitment website features MP3 downloads (also known as podcasts), on which its graduates speak candidly about their experiences on the scheme. Topics range from why they chose the company, day-to-day roles and responsibilities, and training and mentoring opportunities, as well as top tips for the graduate assessment days.
Susan Hands, graduate resourcing administrator, said today’s top graduates had higher expectations of being able to use the internet as a primary source of information and communication. “After the success of the blogs, graduates told us that the best way to really find out what it’s like to join the scheme is to hear directly from our current graduates themselves,” she said.
However, the company will not be recruiting a graduate into the HR team for 2007. “We are taking a year out to ensure we can continue to offer a level of career progression that matches the expectations and capacity of our current HR graduates. However, we are planning to recruit for HR again in 2008,” the company said on its website.
Cadbury Schweppes was ranked at number 47 in the annual list of top graduate employers compiled by High Fliers Research, up from number 60 in 2005.
