The shift away from traditional milkrounds and towards a more engaging, in-person approach to student recruitment has proven highly effective for Deloitte, says Victoria Whitehill, head of talent engagement.
We returned to face-to-face recruitment and found students overwhelmingly prefer to meet our people in person and ask questions directly, leading to a more authentic and impactful experience.
This strategy prioritises direct interaction, recognising the value of informal networking and Q&A sessions over formal presentations.
Why face-to-face recruitment is important
The pandemic necessitated a move to virtual recruitment, but our experience underscores the irreplaceable value of in-person engagement.
Direct interaction allows for spontaneous conversations, stronger relationship building, and a more authentic representation of our culture. It also allows us to reach students who might not actively seek us out online. The personal connection fosters a stronger sense of community and belonging, crucial for attracting top talent.
As part of our wider strategy, we also utilise online targeted approaches using e-shots and targeted media advertising. This provides choice and allows us to also engage with our target audience in a way that suits them.
Our approach
Our approach has evolved significantly. The traditional milkround, characterised by large, formal presentations, has been replaced by a more diverse and engaging strategy. This includes:
- ‘The Clouds’ brand activation: This high-visibility, interactive installation on university campuses provides a relaxed environment for students to meet Deloitte employees informally throughout the day. Its prominent placement ensures maximum visibility and accessibility to all students, not just those already familiar with Deloitte. This initiative has been instrumental in significantly increasing the number of students added to our talent pool, which allows us to share relevant information with them about our firm and our opportunities.
- Campus visits: We visit over 90 universities, involving both our central team and colleagues from regional offices. This allows for a more localised and personalised approach, tailoring our engagement to the specific interests and needs of each university's student body. This includes working with careers services, offering sessions and drop-ins, and collaborating with student societies on events.
- School visits: We extend our outreach to schools and colleges, conducting presentations and careers sessions, often partnering with alumni to provide relatable role models.
- In-office events: We host evening events at our offices, offering presentations, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions for students of all year groups. This provides a more immersive experience, allowing students to see our workplace culture firsthand.
- Work experience: Our Aspire and Spring into Deloitte work experience programmes are conducted in person, providing students with valuable hands-on experience and further strengthening their connection with Deloitte.
What works
The informal, accessible nature of "The Clouds" installation and our broader campus presence has been particularly successful. The ability to engage students organically, rather than relying on pre-existing awareness, has significantly broadened our reach and added a substantial number of students to our talent pool. The direct interaction with students, facilitated by both early careers and people from our business, allows for authentic conversations and relationship building. Feedback indicates that this approach is highly effective in generating interest and building relationships with potential candidates.