14 HR Leaders Share Their Best Tips For Hiring Top Grad Talent

By the Forbes Human Resources Council

Every company strives to hire top talent for its team. In many cases, new college graduates are an excellent source of raw talent, waiting to be molded and trained into highly-skilled, productive professionals. But where and how do you find the best of the best out of the latest graduating class?

Below, 14 members of Forbes Human Resources Council share their advice for employers who are seeking top talent among a pool of new grads. Follow their advice in your search for qualified entry-level candidates.

 1. Focus On Organizational Fit

To hire top talent you should focus on critical career skills. When you hire because they look perfect on paper, they may not be the best fit if they can't fully integrate into your organization. Unless the job is highly technical, you can train people to do the job. It is more important to focus on organization fit! - Katie Ervin, Park University

2. Look Outside Your Geographical Region

My tip for employers is to think outside of the box when looking for top talent. Covid taught us that we don't need to stick in one geographical area to recruit. Some are now recruiting in other countries due to our technological advancements. The world is your recruitment oyster! - Dawn Taylor, Pinnacle Talent Acquisition

3. Lay Out The Projected Career Path

To get a top grad to accept your offer, you need to clearly lay out what the projected career path will be, not just what the job entails now. What skills will they learn along the way? What will the next opportunity be and the one after that—and in what time frame? - Lynne Marie Finn, Broadleaf Results

4. Assess Aptitude, Capability And Motivation

My recommendation is to pivot away from over-assessment of experience, proven competence and pedigree. Rather, leverage tools and assessments that help focus on aptitude, capability and motivation. Not only are they better predictors of longer-term potential, but they also open employers up to a broader pool of diverse talent and create for a more positive candidate experience along the way. - Matthew Kline, Greenlots

5. Understand The Current College Landscape

There are over 5,000 colleges in the U.S., so employers should first become literate in the vast expanse that makes up the landscape. Be inclusive and be expansive. Top grad talent exists in a variety of schools, including historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, women’s colleges and tribal colleges and universities. Cast a wide net while being strategic. - Courtney Peterson, Sidwell Friends School

6. Hone In On The Key Skills Needed To Do The Job

Expand from where you are hiring. Many organizations focus on hiring talent from competitors and that limits their talent pool. Identify the key skills needed to do the job and what can be learned on the job. High performers with strong learning agility will learn the business and quickly adapt. Investing in a high performer from another industry will be worth the investment. - Jacqlyn Nedvin, Autism Speaks Inc.

7. Develop A Strong Employee Value Proposition

Employers looking to engage top grad talent should consider their company's employee value proposition through the lens of the new grad and make sure they are in sync. Today's college and MBA graduates are looking for purpose-driven work, social justice in action and an environment where their work is aligned to creating meaningful global impact. - Chris Stanzione, 360 AgileTalent

8. Build A University Recruiting Program

Organizations must build a strong, holistic university recruiting program. Dedicate a member of your recruiting team to focus on new grad talent and truly foster connections with this community. But that’s only half of the answer. Offer robust learning and career development opportunities so recent grads know they have a place to grow professionally, even years after graduation. - Kristina Johnson, Okta

9. Provide Continuous Learning Opportunities

Employers need to provide opportunities for continuous learning and development. Top talent demands a compelling career trajectory and knows that the constant upgrading of skills and competencies is a requirement for professional growth. Organizations that invest in providing extensive training and professional support will come out ahead in the recruiting process. - Heide Abelli, Boston College

10. Seek Candidates With Passion For The Field

New graduates can be counted on to bring a fresh perspective and energy to their first position out of college. If you’re looking for top talent, be sure to pay close attention to graduates who have a passion for their chosen field, as well as those who have completed internships successfully or have demonstrated they can apply their skills by working on relevant projects throughout their studies. - Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc.

11. Look At The Holistic Candidate

We need to look for more than work experience. Many people are on boards or volunteer—both hold a lot of value in the type of person you are looking for. Top talent is not necessarily where you went to school; many people focus on the where versus what you have accomplished. Employers need to look at the whole package, from college degree to other experiences. All of this rounds out the person. - Heather Smith, Flimp Communications

12. Speak Their Language

Know your audience and speak their language. What motivates them and what do you have to offer that aligns with their needs? For example, what motivates a top accounting grad is going to be different than what motivates a healthcare administration grad. - Jenna Hinrichsen, Advanced RPO

13. Improve The Candidate Experience

Top graduates won't put up with clunky application processes because they have higher standards than that. Many candidates quit long and/or complex application processes, so make it easy! Empower candidates by giving them more choices, like the power to choose when and how they interview. Today's graduates are tech-savvy and expect modern recruitment options. - Sean Fahey, VidCruiter

14. Showcase Your Culture And Growth Opportunities

Today’s graduates are more interested in employers that have a strong, inclusive culture and provide growth opportunities. They want to work for a company that cares more about people than profits. Therefore, organizations should ensure their employment brand not only highlights company culture but also core values, giving potential candidates a glance into what it would be like to work there. - Kim Pope, WilsonHCG