Campus events are a great way to attract and engage potential candidates for your graduate recruitment program. But how do you make sure that you don't lose their interest or miss out on opportunities after the event? Here are some tips on how to follow up with candidates effectively and keep them interested in your organization.
The first step is to send a thank you email to all the candidates who attended your event, preferably within 24 hours. This email should express your appreciation for their participation, highlight the main benefits of your program, and invite them to take the next steps in the application process. You can also include a link to a survey or feedback form to collect their opinions and suggestions on the event.
Sending a thank you email is a gesture of professionalism and gratitude that leaves a lasting impression on candidates. It’s not just about acknowledging their presence; it’s an opportunity to reinforce the value proposition of your organization and the potential pathways for engagement. By doing so promptly, you demonstrate efficiency and respect for their time, which can significantly influence their perception of your company. Including a feedback survey also shows that you value their input, fostering a sense of inclusion and openness to improvement.
Following up with candidates after a campus event is essential for maintaining engagement and building relationships. A personalized email thanking them for attending and expressing appreciation for their interest is a great starting point. Include any relevant information discussed during the event, such as job opportunities or next steps in the recruitment process. Encourage further communication by inviting them to connect on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn and providing contact information for any questions or follow-ups. This proactive approach helps candidates feel valued and keeps them informed about potential opportunities within the organization, enhancing their overall candidate experience.
Not all candidates are at the same stage of their career journey or have the same preferences and expectations. That's why you should segment your communication based on their level of interest, qualifications, and fit for your program. You can use different criteria such as their degree, major, GPA, location, or event activities to create personalized messages and offers. For example, you can invite the most qualified candidates to an exclusive webinar or a one-on-one chat with a recruiter, or send relevant content and resources to those who need more information or guidance.
Email is not the only way to follow up with candidates after a campus event. You can also use other channels and formats to reach out to them and keep them engaged. For example, you can use social media to share photos and videos from the event, tag and mention the candidates who participated, and encourage them to join your online community. You can also use text messages, phone calls, or video calls to remind them of deadlines, confirm their attendance, or answer their questions.
Diversifying your follow-up methods can significantly enhance engagement. Besides emails, use social media to share event highlights and tag participants, making them feel recognized. Text messages, phone calls, and video calls can also be effective for reminders and answering questions. Using multiple channels ensures that your communication reaches candidates through their preferred medium.
To evaluate the effectiveness of your follow-up strategy, you need to track and measure your results. You can use various metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, response rates, conversion rates, and feedback scores to assess how well you are connecting with your candidates and moving them along the funnel. You can also use analytics tools to identify the best practices and areas for improvement in your communication.
The last tip is to be consistent and timely in your follow-up. You don't want to spam your candidates with too many messages or leave them hanging for too long. You want to create a positive and memorable impression of your organization and program, and show them that you value their interest and time. You can use a calendar or a CRM system to schedule your follow-up activities and reminders, and make sure that you deliver on your promises and expectations.
Consistency and timeliness in follow-up communications are key to maintaining candidate interest. Avoid overwhelming candidates with too many messages, but don't leave them waiting too long either. Use a calendar to schedule follow-up activities and ensure that you meet your commitments. This consistent approach builds a positive impression of your organization and keeps candidates informed and engaged.