Community

Employers

Tips and trends for modern recruiting

Find the talent you’re looking for

You know what you see: you’ve worked hard this year, and the job market for early talent is still HOT. The class of 2023 is applying to more jobs, sooner.

So let’s take a little breather to celebrate all the ways:

you’ve improved, innovated, pivoted

you’ve learned, implemented, proven

you’ve been motivated, inspired, driven

you've built, discovered, connected

you've made internship and job dreams come true!

To celebrate your impact—and potential—we’ve gathered some of this year’s tips, trends, and best practices that just might inspire you to double down on early talent next year.

1. You’re meeting students where they are

Thanks to you, Handshake is the #1 way that early talent finds internships and jobs.

2. You’re launching careers for a generation

Over 1 in 3 people on Earth are Gen Zers. They all want to start somewhere, and you’re making that happen across the US (and now Europe!). 85% of jobs didn’t exist in 2020—most of them tech roles—and Gen Z are filling the gaps. Thanks to your investment in early talent, you’re ushering a new generation into the workforce.

3. You've helped millions of early talent job seekers find careers on Handshake

By using the largest (and growing) student network of early talent and career re-starters, you’re opening doors to opportunity:

🙌 "It helped me find a lot more companies that I didn't know existed."

👋 "I feel like there's another person on the side of the screen, rather than just someone who's gonna read through my application."

🤝 "Handshake was a way for me to get familiar with networking."

4. You're expanding impact on and off screen

How many hands did you shake in person this year…and how many virtually?! 🤝 Based on Handshake data, 50% of students prefer to attend both in-person and virtual events. When it comes to events, hybrid is here to stay.

5. You’ve discovered 70 inclusive language principles

One way to bring DEI into everything you do is through inclusive language, which can empower employees to feel psychologically safe, respected, engaged, motivated, and valued. To continuously uplevel your word choices in job descriptions, application processes, marketing materials, and more….bookmark this -->

6. You were inspired by Mindy Kaling

Handshake Access 2022 keynote speaker Mindy Kaling emphasized the importance of shadowing opportunities for early talent and the importance of sponsorship, mentorship, and allyship. Get more highlights →

7. You’re supporting non-traditional pathways to jobs

8. You’re empowering students

You never know which advice can stick with someone wondering how to start their career. Keep giving it!

9. You’re moving the needle on diversity, equity, and inclusion

10. You’re learning that early talent recruiting is year-round

11. You’re surpassing goals

12. You’re recruiting candidates with specialized skills

Instead of relying solely on majors, you're looking at a students' full skill set. For example, you’re sourcing from community colleges and bootcamp training providers like Kenzie Academy, which offers cybersecurity, full-stack web development, and software engineering certificates, on Handshake.

13. You're discovering new best practices

From 7 ways to stand out at virtual career fairs, to 6 things Gen Z wants from their next job, to 5 tips to improve your job descriptions, to 4 creative recruiting event ideas to attract Gen Z, to 3 tech industry trends to recruit and win Gen Z—Handshake has you covered.

14. You've earned SHRM credits through Pathfinders courses

Finding more quality candidates doesn't have to take more time. Handshake Pathfinders helps you do more with less. What are some of your learnings?

👋 “Connecting with students before they apply in hopes to engage and retain them.”

🗓 “Promoting my availability calendar, that way candidates are able to schedule 1-on-1 time with me rather than competing for my attention at career fairs.”

✍️ “Letting students know how many steps are in the application process and/or how long they should expect to spend filling out the application.”

15. You’re connecting career starters to mentors

Megan, a baking and pastry major at Johnson & Wales University in North Carolina, used Handshake to kick off her career as a pastry chef. She credits one person with the most influential guidance: “My mentor and head chef, who I met via my sophomore internship.”

16. You’re learning how important mental health and wellness is to Gen Z

Handshake Network Trends found jobs for roles in high stress or in competitive sectors that are more upfront about discussing mental health and wellbeing are seeing up to 2x more applications. Learn which benefits are growing in popularity due to demand from Gen Z, and other ways you can show your commitment to mental health and wellness during the recruiting process.

17. You're building your brand with early talent

Through networking, career fairs, mock interviews, resume workshops, hackathons, panels, and parties, more students everywhere have access to learn about your brand—and career opportunities at your organization.

18. You're staying agile

Take a moment to reflect on how you've adapted and stayed agile to provide meaningful internship and first job experiences.

19. You’ve participated in lots, and lots, of events

Not only have you been busy running your own career fairs and events, 55 speakers from top employers spoke at Handshake events across the marketplace in 2022. From “Recruiters demystify the job application process” for a virtual audience of early talent job seekers to in person panels across the US, you’ve shown up to support the Handshake community.

20. You’re broadening your search criteria

21. You’re teaching students how to network

22. You’re impacting the future of work

By using Handshake to hire and empower early career talent at your organization, you’re on the front lines of shaping the future of work. Gen Z is transforming our culture, diversity, communication, and innovation…in society and at your workplace.

Cheers to you!

The Handshake community is strategically investing in future leaders who will drive growth and ensure long-term competitive advantage. Today, let’s celebrate the wins, and get ready for another year of unknowns with what we DO know: You need early talent, and early talent needs you. We’re in this together.

Community

22 ways you’re impacting the future of work