Educational Recruiting Tips: Helping Students Land Jobs After Graduation
For most prospective students, choosing a school isn’t just about programs or campus life—it’s about landing a job after graduation. They want a clear return on their investment. And that means your institution’s ability to connect education with employment outcomes is more important than ever.
Here’s the kicker:
A Gallup poll revealed that 96% of university leaders believe they’re doing a good job preparing students for the workforce. Unfortunately, only 11% of business leaders agree.
Yes, only 11 percent. That’s a major disconnect.
So how can your school bridge that gap—and use it to attract, support, and retain students?
Build Real Relationships with Employers
Start by talking to the people actually hiring your graduates. What skills are they looking for in entry-level employees? Where do recent grads fall short? This doesn’t have to be anecdotal—formalize the conversation by creating an Employer Advisory Board with professionals who can give you ongoing feedback about your programs and how relevant they are to today’s job market.
Track Outcomes & Learn from Them
Which employers are hiring your grads? Are they satisfied? Conduct follow-up surveys to find out if they had to retrain or upskill new hires. Ask what gaps exist, and if they’d hire from your school again. Combine this data with input from your Employer Advisory Board to guide curriculum updates and improve the student experience.
Teach What Employers Actually Need
Once you’ve identified key workplace skills, design your curriculum around them. Build objectives that reflect real-world tasks and develop content that engages all types of learners. And remember—jobs evolve. Your curriculum should too. Stay current on industry trends and emerging technologies.
Require Hands-On Work Experience
Every program should incorporate some form of real-world experience. Internships, co-ops, apprenticeships, or service-learning projects help students build confidence and gain relevant experience. And don’t forget the importance of career services—resume help, interview prep, and job search support are must-haves.
Share the Success
If you’re already doing some (or all) of this, make sure people know. Highlight your employer partnerships. Show how your curriculum adapts to industry needs. Share graduate success stories and testimonials. Promote your innovative teaching methods and job placement results. Make students and employers excited to be part of your institution.