We announced the findings from the first annual Class of 2010 Survey, a survey conducted by Studentawards and I Love Rewards to find out what graduating students really look for in an employer. Our goal with this survey was to get into the mindset of a Millennial and help employers recruit, retain and inspire top talent of this generation.

Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing key insights from the survey along with best practices from companies and experts on attracting and retaining the Class of 2010 and beyond. We’re calling this series Class of 2010 Speaks…So Listen Up! Our first edition of this series is all about campus recruiting…


Lesson 1: Connect on-campus

One of the most significant findings from the Class of 2010 Survey was the importance of employer branding and building relationships with students on-campus. 48.9% of respondents said they will be applying directly to a company without seeing an advertised position. This means many students learn about their future employer and their reputation while at school. As one respondent put it,

“Most students do not apply to various companies because they do not know if the company is hiring. Students mostly apply to companies that they hear about the most.”
- Class of 2010 survey respondent

We invited Isabelle Morin, Talent Attraction Leader, Employer Branding at KPMG, on board to share KPMG’s on-campus recruiting best practices and programs. Isabelle is responsible for the overall development, implementation, and coordination of KPMG’s campus recruitment strategy, programs, and initiatives.

“For an employer to win on campus, you have to get to know the students and then give them a great experience. Campus recruiting today is smarter, more strategic, and involves starting a relationship with students during high school or in their first year of post-secondary education,” says Isabelle.


KPMG helps students press Fast Forward

KPMG’s educational programs are amongst the company’s most successful campus recruiting efforts. The main goal of these educational programs is to teach students skills that will help them excel in school and at work. “Show students early on that you are invested in their present and their future, and you will be their first stop after graduation,” says Isabelle.

One of KPMG’s educational programs is called Fast Forward, a 3-day leadership training program that allows 160 participants from across the US and Canada to learn leadership-specific and business skills, such as listening skills, goal-setting capabilities, problem solving and negotiating skills. The sessions are taught by leadership professionals, including Ken Blanchard, co-author of the very popular One Minute Manager, and KPMG’s National Managing Partners. The Partners give participants—and potential future employees—the chance to learn more about KPMG’s various practices and provide them with an in-depth look at what it’s like to work for the firm.

Educational programs like KPMG’s Fast Forward are an effective way to attract potential candidates and get them interested and engaged in your organization early on, while teaching the skills that will help them succeed in the future roles they take within your company.