How to spot a top-notch job

Analysing recruitment tactics to pick a winner

Deciding which is the best company to work for when you graduate can be a difficult decision. One way to identify leading blue chip prospects is to look at their attitude and the importance they place on recruiting and retaining staff. Two thirds of senior HR managers saw recruitment and retention as their biggest challenge for this year (Taleo Research 2006). Attracting graduates to the company should therefore be their biggest priority, however, this is often overlooked.

ëOur staff are our number one assetí is a common line at recruitments fairs, but only the worldís forward thinking organisations actual mean it. 49% of FTSE companies do not enable candidates to apply via an online application form, while 6% of FTSE companies still have no careers web page at all (Taleo Research 2006).
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So where do you start? Taleo Research, the research arm of talent management company Taleo, suggests generation ëYí should consider the following 6-point checklist when assessing potential companies:

6 steps to company selection success

1. Interactive career website
Does the companyís career web page provide all the relevant information or is it confusing? Can you apply directly on the site?

2. Fast interaction
Are communications from the company prompt, are you kept informed about what is going on?

3. Strong brand presence
Does the company have a strong recruitment brand? Does it attend events and university open days? Does it use online referral networks or social networks to draw interest towards the company?

4. Priority on career-pathing and internal mobility
Once employed, are there the opportunities to move around the company and broaden your horizons? Is there a clear career path mapped out for you?

5. Promotes flexibility and a work-life balance
Does the company truly value a work-life balance and, more importantly, provide you with the tools to achieve it?

6. Try before you buy
Does the company get involved in internships or college placement programs? Engaging with an organisation in this way provides a valuable insight into the companyís culture.