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proven that companies and students can
make virtual internships and summer
work experiences work. If we remain
virtual next summer, expect to see even
better virtual experiences.
STUDENT RECRUITMENT ON
CAMPUS THIS FALL
At the Roundtable, several university
career services professionals joined in a
panel to discuss what they think student
recruitment will look like on campus this
fall and perhaps the remainder of the
year. You guessed it, virtually!
For many companies that weren’t
onboard with virtual or remote before
the pandemic have learned that their
businesses and employees can be just
as successful, if not more in a remote
setting. Organizations are finding cost
savings in the forced lack of travel while
maintaining targets. We’ll see some of
these virtual and remote aspects hold on
even after the pandemic is gone.
Getting comfortable with virtual
recruitment and a virtual workspace is
one way to set yourself apart from your
other candidate competition. Explore
virtual career fairs, virtual interviewing
and virtual networking. Reach out to
alumni through social and engage in
events through online portals. This is a
bit of the new reality and showing you
are an early adopter will take you far.
WHAT DOES GOING TO THE OFFICE
LOOK LIKE THESE DAYS
We are talking about more than just
being in a square building. It is what
you’ll encounter as you go to an office,
whether a summer experience or new
graduate opportunity. You may have
heard of a shift in the employment
market and that it is now an employer’s
market; meaning that employers have
the upper hand because there are plenty
of candidates on the market. Well, that
isn’t entirely true for the agriculture
industry. Plus, this industry is humble
and prides themselves on quality—that
means for talent too.
You may have more competition
through the recruitment process but
demonstrate the key employability skills,
like reliability, communication, work
ethic, and resiliency. Support those with
your technical expertise. Your industry
specific expertise will get you in the door,
but it is likely your employability skills
that will win the interviewer over!
Let’s just talk about resiliency briefly.
As a student or young professional that
has lived through the pandemic, if you’ve
managed through these challenging
times, you are resilient. This is something
that employers stereotypically feel that
young professionals lack, but the
pandemic has just opened your examples
for interview questions on this topic!
Agricultural employers, or at least
the good ones, still focus on their
employees and providing a culture that
is safe, compassionate, and fun. Look
for these things (or those things you
are passionate about) in future
employers. The pandemic has not
created an employment crisis within the
agriculture industry as of now. Don’t
panic and take the first job offer just
because. Instead, take a job that you can
see yourself enjoying and excelling in!
STANDING OUT IN A VIRTUAL INTERVIEW
Cynthia Cole, Recruitment Manager for De Lacy Executive Recruitment, shared some
valuable tips on how students can stand out in a virtual interview.
•
Be mindful of new processes—virtual is the new normal
•
Dress appropriately
• Test technology—practice with a friend if possible
•
Set the scene—avoid background noise and cluttered spaces
•
Convey enthusiasm—let the employer know you are excited
• Address the pandemic—yes, you can ask about how their company has dealt
•
Give a compliment—if you’ve experienced something good in their process,
tell them
A video interview is still a great way for you to assess the company! Look for ways
that the employer steps up in the virtual setting to help you recognize why you should
work for their organization.
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