If you’re a Harvard Business School alumnus, you’ve likely been asked at some point to play a key role in recruiting current HBS students for your organization. Since recruiting may be new to you or simply something you dip into from time to time, we thought it would be helpful to provide you with some tips and tricks to tackle hiring at HBS like a recruiter.
- Reach out to our Corporate Relations Directors and Employer Relationship Managers for support
The Career & Professional Development team is here to support you in recruiting HBS talent. For questions about recruiting strategy, coming to campus, hosting virtual events, and more, reach out to our office to be connected with your Employer Relationship Manager.
- Make use of 12twenty and the Resume Databases
12twenty is the recruiting platform HBS uses to connect employers with students, and it’s where you will go to post your company’s open role and job description. The Resume Databases lets you browse student resumes, filter by industry, interests, and keywords , and it allows you to send personalized messages.
- Include as much information as possible in your job description: details on projects, what skills you’re looking for in a candidate, who does well at your organization, etc.
The more context you are able to provide, the more qualified and appropriate candidates you will get . For more information, here’s a blog on rethinking your job description.
- Be prepared to answer logistics-related recruiting questions
Students will want to learn how long the recruiting process takes, how many rounds of interviews there will be, who they will interview with, and more. It’s important for you to get in touch with your recruiting team (if you have one), or prepare HR or leadership so they have clear answers to these questions. Although many of these fields are optional when posting a job, filling them out can minimize questions from students.
- Be honest about salary levels/grades, and timelines for interviews and decision making
It may feel like you’re sharing a secret by talking honestly about salary, and you may worry about scaring away candidates if your interview and decision-making process is long and arduous, but it’s best to be open about these things as early as possible. Your transparency will make it clear that you’re honest and forthcoming while also managing candidates’ expectations.
- Draw students in by profiling your experience at your company
One of the benefits of recruiting as an HBS alumnus is that you are a trusted and familiar source. Sharing your story and anecdotes about how you transitioned from HBS to your company will resonate with students, so don’t hesitate to get personal.
- Be open to candidates with background in a different industry or job type
Many students come to HBS to change industries, but they bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience from their past work, much of which can be transferable to their new path. Their unique background and HBS education could make them a well-rounded candidate for your role.
- Leverage other HBS alumni at your organization to help
You may not be the only HBS alum in your organization, and it can be beneficial to work together as a recruiting team. It can be helpful to divide up recruiting duties and provide more opportunities for prospective candidates to connect with additional HBS alumni.
- Draw on your memory of what your decision-making process was when you were a student
Deciding where to go when you leave HBS is a big decision, one you likely remember making. Try to think back on the specifics of what was important to you when you were considering your options. Speak to those considerations when engaging with prospective candidates.
- Know that students are eager to get connected with you
It may be intimidating to come back to HBS as a recruiter. You may be concerned that the competitive nature of recruiting at HBS will mean your message will be lost, but just like you were drawn to your company, other students will be as well. Students are eager to connect with alumni who understand their experience and can tell them more about what to expect when they leave HBS.
Recruiting when you’re not a recruiter can be challenging to navigate at first, but hopefully these tips and tricks will help. Get started with the process by creating an account in 12twenty or reaching out to our office.
