Job searching is challenging and requires perseverance and patience. However, with the right mindset and strategies, it is possible to find a fulfilling and satisfying job. Employers play a key role in that process, not only for the benefit of job seekers but for their benefit also.
Educating talent on what a job involves is a crucial part of the hiring process. Talent in your pipeline who misunderstand what they are applying for are more likely to churn than someone who has entered the process well-informed. Effective recruiting teams are just as focused on helping talent opt into their recruiting process as they are on empowering talent to opt out.
When it comes to recruiting early talent, empowering candidates to make an informed assessment of a role before they apply is even more critical.
Early talent has limited career insights. To ensure that the right candidates are placed in the right jobs, early talent recruiters must first educate candidates on what the work involves. And so they try to, with traditional tactics like career fairs, webinars, online talent communities, co-ops, internships, testimonial videos, and good ol’ fashion job descriptions.
These traditional tactics are expensive, time-consuming, lack scale, and don’t necessarily resonate with Gen Z. What’s most problematic is these techniques simply describe the job. They don’t allow talent to experience the work and the organizational culture. Job simulations offer candidates a way to learn about roles and companies before they apply and give companies a unique and highly interactive platform to engage with the next generation of talent.
Here's a snaphot of how BCG is leveraging Forage's job simulations to demystify the world of management consulting for Gen Z - schedule a consultation to learn more!
Try Before You Buy
65% of candidates say they're more likely to consider taking a role if they had a chance to experience the actual job through technology - PwC Future of Recruiting Survey
Grocery store samples, test-driving a car, a free Netflix trial before you subscribe — the "try before you buy" concept is widely applied and can help consumers make more informed decisions. Why not in the job search too?
Early career talent wants to understand the scope of the work and how their skills fit into your organization. Providing opportunities to gain a hands-on understanding of the type of work they will do helps recent college graduates understand the role and how the role fits into a larger picture. This can help graduates determine whether they have the skills and experience necessary to succeed and assess their interest in the work.
Internships are the traditional go-to method, but as mentioned above, they are expensive and lack scale. Forage solves this problem with a unique platform that allows candidates to deepen their understanding of different industries, companies, and roles through interactive work-based learning, resulting in a more informed and motivated pipeline.
Right Person, Right Role
72% of candidates say they need to understand the work culture before accepting an offer - PwC Future of Recruiting Survey
When candidates understand what the job entails and what the company is looking for in an employee, they can assess their fit for the role. This ensures companies attract candidates who are genuinely interested in the work and who have the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the role.
Demystifying a job gives candidates a deeper, more meaningful understanding of what the employer is looking for in new hires and what questions they may be asked during the interview. This knowledge helps candidates prepare for the interview and increases their chances of receiving an offer. This is a win-win for the candidates and the employer by increasing conversion rates and decreasing lift on the talent acquisition (TA) teams.
Retention Connection
66% of workers say they accepted a job and later realized it was a bad fit, with half of those resigning within six months - CareerBuilder Survey
Lack of clarity for new hires can contribute to high turnover rates, as employees become dissatisfied with their work or realize that the job is not what they expected. Giving candidates ample understanding of a role, company, and industry helps align expectations with the job requirements. This helps avoid misunderstandings and conflicts down the line and increases job satisfaction and, thus, retention.
Job searching is difficult for candidates and, thus, difficult for employers. Forage sees that and has a solution. Forage partners with leading companies around the globe to deliver open-access job simulations to support students in developing the skills and confidence they need for career success before they apply for a role.
If you want to learn more about how Forage can help maximize impact in your early talent acquisition strategy, schedule a consultation today.
