Recognized for Excellence in Every Campus Forward Award Category
CVS Health received a Campus Forward Award for Excellence in Recruitment Strategies, Tech Innovation, Candidate Experience, DE&I, and Internship Programming.
Receiving an award for each category reflects CVS Health's unwavering excellence and commitment to providing the best experience for the next generation of talent. CVS Health invests in innovative recruitment strategies, cutting-edge technology, thoughtful candidate experiences, inclusive recruitment practices, and standout internship programs. See below for the highlights of their strategies in each one of these categories.
Excellence in Recruitment Strategies
The University Recruiting teams at CVS Health attract and retain top emerging talent through a diverse set of strategies. For early id talent (underclassmen), the team offers virtual internship prep sessions to better equip students to be ready for the next step in their career. The Retail team has increased focus on community college talent, matching tuition assistance benefits with the students’ desire to complete their bachelor’s degree. In some office locations, the team hosts company shadow days, inviting students onsite to meet with a mix of senior leaders and recent graduates. The team also places priority on career fairs and club engagement with select strategic school partners to allow for deliberate focus while not stretching the team too thin.
Excellence in Tech Innovation
By blending multiple event technology platforms, including RippleMatch, the CVS Health team engages with qualified talent through virtual and in-person connections. This vastly expands their engagement/sourcing capabilities. In addition, the University Relations team utilizes CRM technology to provide personalized outreach and consistent keep warm engagement strategies to connect with incoming candidates and interns awaiting their full-time start date. Maximizing the functionality of database technology allows CVS Health to automate follow-up communications, seamlessly manage the onboarding journey, and share relevant data with the appropriate program participants and stakeholders in the business.
Excellence in Candidate Experience
CVS Health commits to a great candidate experience, especially in this environment of high application volume. Recruiters review applications several times per week (in some instances daily) ensuring candidates get timely review. Applicants are provided tips for successful completion of a virtual video interview or job tryout. During the interview process, many candidates connect with emerging talent hires allowing them an inside look into the role and organization. Once candidates accept an offer, CVS communicates twice a month at a minimum, sharing what to expect, company news, and program logistics. Hired students can access a specific site to explore information about the company's history, purpose, values, business areas, and leaders. Lastly, several business areas host live office hours in partnership with the University Relations team.
Excellence in DE&I
Summer 2024 CVS interns heard from the VP of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in a highly engaging session. Interns reviewed the 3-year strategy, asked questions about unconscious bias, learned about 16 different Colleague Resource Groups, and saw firsthand the importance of DEIB in the colleague experience. Recruiting efforts include posting internships at all HBCUs and HSIs, a $250,000 scholarship designed to increase representation in retail leadership, and participating in conferences that reach diverse student groups (Grace Hopper, Consortium). All recruiters completed training throughout 2024 that emphasized diversity in hiring practices; many hiring leaders completed the curriculum as well. A newly launched Early ID mentorship program is directed to underclassmen from underrepresented populations.
Excellence in Internship Programming
CVS Health is committed to providing a stellar internship through a focus on leadership, community, and professional development. Interns have weekly sessions with C-suite leaders to discuss authentic topics ranging from business challenges to work/life balance. They model CVS’s commitment to the community through activities to support local and national philanthropy, and are celebrated company-wide on National Intern Day. Students choose from multiple development sessions to meet their individual needs, and share their experiences by recording a short video or blog post. Just like full-time colleagues, interns receive redeemable points for displaying Heart at Work behaviors. Successful interns are supported to apply to full-time roles and receive offers before the end of the program.
