What do Employers
Really Want?
Nancy Dilthey
Manager, University Relations
Johnson & Johnson
January 25, 2006 - CIEC
Short Answer:
Employers want it all!
Employers Want:
• Top students for our openings
• Great partnerships with Universities
• Great reputation on campus
• Widespread knowledge of our business
• Pipeline of diverse candidates
In a perfect world…
• Students are:
– Prepared
– Diverse
– Passionate
– Articulate
– Flexible
Reality for Employers:
• Hampered by:
– Just-in-Time
recruiting
– Budget
constraints
– Limited
resources
– Constant change
Successful Partnerships
Students
Career Services
Employers
Seek guidance
Liaison / Partner
Partner / Provide
Opportunities
Objective – We all want to
help Students:
• Develop Strengths
• Differentiate Themselves
• Learn Keys to Success
Student Roadmap to Success
Early college
Getting the job
• Assess your skills
• Differentiate yourself
• Utilize Campus
Resources
• Be a professional
• Develop Strong
Resume
• Research Employers
• Demonstrate passion,
flexibility & leadership
Students: Assess your skills
• Honest assessment
• Consider aptitude testing
• Career aspirations
• Personal development / strengths
• Develop roadmap
Utilize University Career
Resources
• Career Services & Co-op Office
• Resume critiques
• Mock Interviews / videotape
• Company Info Sessions
• Career Fairs
Develop your resume
• Easy to read format
• Accurate depiction
• Error Free
• Constantly update
• Emphasizes
strengths
• Readily available
• Differentiate yourself
Research Employers
• Start early
• Be open minded (location, industry, etc.)
• Look for culture fit
• Have a Plan “B”
• Network, network, network
Differentiate Yourself!
On Campus:
• Look for ways to demonstrate:
– Teamwork
– Leadership
– Campus Involvement
Differentiate yourself –
campus:
• Leadership role in Student organizations
• Volunteering
• Mentoring others
• Secure scholarships
• Work closely with Professors
Differentiate yourself –
Internship or Co-op
• Demonstrate your potential to company
• Teamwork
• Take initiative
• Professionalism:
Attitude and Appearance
Differentiate yourself –
Internship or Co-op
• Ask for feedback
• Be adaptable to change
• Act ethically/ responsibly
• Learn other areas of the company
• Network within your department
The Importance of
Networking
• It’s never too early to start!
• Involvement in dept/student boards
• Career Fairs (volunteer/follow up)
• Company Presentations
• Seek out alums of companies
Networking – on job:
• Build a co-op community
• Learn about other dept’s
• Seek out alums – ask for advice
• Offer to champion company upon return to
campus
Some Do’s:
• Follow chain of command/co protocol
• Act professional at all times
• Take initiative
• Demonstrate great teamwork
• Be passionate about your work
• “Ask” for the job
And, some don’ts….
• Email the CEO for ANY reason
• Compare salaries with co-workers
• Trash company or co-workers
• Surf inappropriate web sites
• Be late or no-show
• Misuse company funds/property
Successful Partnerships
Students
Career Services
Employer
Seek guidance
Liaison / Partner
Partner / Provide
Opportunities
Ways to Partner with
Employers
• Understand their culture
• Flexibility
• Understand business needs
• Provide campus statistics
• Responsiveness
Creating a University Program
• Take stock of the following:
-Budget
-Hiring needs (disciplines, UG/MBA, volume, etc.)
-Technology tools
-Brand / reputation
-Communication vehicles
Before You Go to Campus
• Do your homework
• What are your goals / expectations?
• Demands and requirements of students
• Advance knowledge of school
• Advance knowledge of campus activities
• Understand recruitment cycles
Best Practices
• “Top Down” approach / commitment
• Continuous improvement
• Program Flexibility
• Communication to University Partners/Students
• Utilize campus team model, inc. alums, interns
• Consistent presence
• Established target schools
Levels of Engagement
– Who are you?
Levels of Engagement
• Recruit Only – 1 or 2x year – Fairs & Interviews
• Recruit Plus – Recruitment activities; plus some
relationship building
• Strategic Partner – Full commitment to University
over time. Recruitment activities plus strong
partnerships, sponsorships, engagement across all
levels
Keys to Success
• Know your campus
• Interns are your most important resource
• Flexibility
• Communication – Internal & External
• Evaluate Results
• Continuous Improvement
Closing
• Great partnerships take time
Yield – top students
Strong relationships with schools
Stay active in the field – NACE, CEIA, Regional
Assn’s, etc.
Network and build relationships