Building an Innovative and Multi-Faceted Approach to University Recruiting

Lenovo’s innovative approach to sourcing and recruiting early talent combines technology with high-touch, personalized connection. Lenovo has sourced and engaged with thousands of candidates through a wide range of channels including RippleMatch, Handshake, LinkedIn, email campaigns, social media marketing, university career services, and more. Lenovo hosted over 140 virtual events through RippleMatch, which included a variety of formats from smaller intimate chats and workshops, to larger information sessions and speaker series. The data collected from events helped Lenovo maintain personalized contact with students throughout the recruiting season. Lenovo’s University Recruiting team members utilized their personal emails, phone numbers, and social media accounts to better connect and build relationships with students, which added a personal touch to the candidate experience.

Crafting a Standout Candidate Experience

Lenovo’s high touch, digital-first, and innovative approach to hiring creates a positive candidate experience from first contact to first day! With an upgraded Applicant Tracking System, candidates can easily search and apply to openings, check their application status, and sign up for job alerts. Through informative and engaging virtual and live events, candidates learn more about the company, roles, and programs as they meet recruiters, managers, and employees. The University Recruiting team also offers services to applicants and candidates through Resume Building workshops, Interview Skills sessions, and individual coffee chats. Lenovo’s innovative approach to interviews includes both technology through assessments and recorded interviews, as well as live connection through virtual interview events and individual meetings with managers and teammates. Once an offer is accepted, candidates have the opportunity to start building community by connecting with each other on group chats and regular recruiter check-ins. To set new hires up for success, Lenovo continuously upgrades welcome kits with the latest swag, tools, and resources.

Moving the Needle on Diversity & Inclusion

Lenovo uses RippleMatch as a platform to source diverse candidates. RippleMatch’s robust system allows Lenovo to target women, minorities, and other underrepresented populations. Lenovo is supportive of HBCUs and HSIs and supports their universities by attending their school fairs, mixers, and other events to engage with students, staff, and faculty members. Lenovo’s ERG members partner closely with the University Recruiting team to participate at various university focused events where Lenovo focuses on culture, belonging and day-in-the life sharing. Lenovo also attends diversity-focused events at PWIs to recruit diverse students. Lenovo received $10k from Lenovo Foundation to fund Parker Dewey’s micro-internships which specifically target students at HSIs and HBCUs. Last summer, 33% of our interns identified as Black/African-American or Latinx.