Part 2: Embrace All Formats
Welcome to the second installment in our Yale SOM Insights for Employers: Campus Edition series. In this post, we highlight real-world examples of a variety of event formats that lead to meaningful, memorable connections with students.
Tip 1: Focus on the 4 I’s of recruiting
In Part 1, we re-introduced the 4 I’s of Recruiting – Interpersonal, Interactive, Informative, and Inclusive – and the impact of keeping these four values paramount when developing a strategy. Two employers recently embraced the 4 I’s as they connected with students:
- Physically meeting students where they are – outside the café
An investment management firm recently held informal “Open Hours” outside McNay Café in Evans Hall, home to Yale School of Management. No slides, no agenda—this casual setup made it easy for students to drop by, ask questions, and connect authentically. What made it memorable is moving the open hours beyond a classroom to an open and popular space, en route to lunch. - Turning an info session into an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session
AMA sessions are flexible, low-prep ways to engage students. We understand that many employers require standard recruiting presentations to ensure equal information sharing across campuses, and if you can do an AMA, they pay off. One large bank prefers to combine the two. Bankers kick-off each info session by asking students what they want to learn. Questions are captured on a whiteboard and addressed during the presentation. Students love that this bank takes the time to focus on their questions vs simply talking at them.
Tip 2: Show what a day really looks like
Students are eager to understand how they will spend their time working in your organization. One healthcare employer offered a detailed “Day in the Life” (DITL) overview, showing, hour-by-hour, morning coffee, team meetings, project work, and leadership messages. This format let students visualize the work, the culture, and the balance between flexibility and focus.
Tip 3: Short sessions can have big impact
One alum at a hot AI firm was inundated with requests to learn more about recruiting at her organization. To manage her time and equitably share information, she hosted a 30-minute virtual session. She allowed attendees to submit questions in advance, opened the session setting clear expectations that this was the only time she could spare, then proceeded to give a fabulous overview of the work of the organization, its values, its hiring processes, and her story of how she recruited. She closed within her 30 minutes, addressing specific questions submitted. The session delivered high value in a short time, respecting everyone’s time while offering meaningful engagement.
Tip 4: Recruiters don’t need to recruit alone
Recruiting doesn’t need to fall solely on recruiters. Encourage alumni and colleagues to host these simple, low-prep sessions. Their boots-on-the-ground experiences resonate with students and go a long way to building a recruiting brand.
Final Thought: Flexibility is a strength
The key takeaway? There is no one perfect format. There are many ways to connect with students that are efficient, effective, and aligned with what they value most. Our team in the Yale SOM CDO is here to help you brainstorm, plan, and execute these events.
Stay tuned for our next post in the series, exploring how to “show the love” in your recruiting strategy 💙
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