Graduate Recruitment
A simulation or an event using a simulaton is sponsored by an organisation to help prospective graduate employees learn about business and build a relationship with the organisation.
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Graduate RecruitmentA simulation or an event using a simulaton is sponsored by an organisation to help prospective graduate employees learn about business and build a relationship with the organisation. |
and the organisation to:
Many students have no experience of business. Thus an activity that provides this experience and understanding is particularly beneficial. Because students are likely to have very limited business knowledge it helps if each team has a company "coach" to help them. It also helps if there are several presentations where company executives discuss management issues.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
The coaching and formal presentations help with this process. Additionally, company executives can join the group for meals.
ASSESS CAPABILITIES
The academic prowess of a student does not, necessarily, show how well the knowledge will be actually applied. Nor does it show how well the student will fit into the organisation. By observing prospective employees solving business problems and making decisions this risk is reduced.
EXAMPLE OF GRADUATE RECRUITING USE
A large high technology company sponsored a two-day business appreciation course each autumn. A business simulation took up about half a day of this course. The rest consisted of a series of presentations by senior management describing the company and management issues.
PRACTICAL ISSUES
VISITORS & TUTORS
One purpose is to allow prospective employees to meet with the sponsoring organisation's management. Management can join the group at meals, act as "coaches" during the simulation and make presentations about business and the organisation. The coaching role is briefly described below. Since middle managers are not all good at presenting this is a risk area. To minimise this risk these sessions should be rehearsed and input obtained from a professional trainer.
MATURITY & BACKGROUND
Because of their age and lack of decision making experience participants there is a risk that participants treat the simulation as a "game". Also, often, the target audience is not studying business - they may be scientists, engineers, economists or even arts graduates. Thus participants need to be coached and receive advice.
COACHING ROLE
The coaching role is vital. A company employee as coach or mentor with each team. This coach provides the business advice that is necessary because of the graduates' lack of experience and, possibly, knowledge. This builds the relationship and provides an excuse for the staff member to observe and assess participants.
SUPPORTING THE COACH
The coach should be provided with copies of the reports received by the teams. The coaches should receive further information high lighting the issues that teams should be considering (strengths, weaknesses etc.). This allows the coaches to be forewarned of problems and be able to advise their team proactively. The pre-digested information also helps the coach explain results. This ensures that the coach is seen to be an expert!
TIMING
Pressure of final exams means that it is best to run the course in the early part of the final year. This might be at, or towards, the end of the autumn term.
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Most recent update: 21/07/03
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