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The Pillars of an Award-Winning Program
The Home Depot was selected as a 2023 Campus Forward Award Winner for their unwavering commitment to seeking out and hiring early career talent, their emphasis on diversity & inclusion, and investments in nurturing and retaining the next generation of talent. Please see below for the highlights of their approach to early career recruitment.
Demonstrated Investment in Early Career Hiring
Early career talent serves as the foundation of Home Depot’s organizational structure. Bringing in the most talented and diverse early career talent benefits in both the short-term and long-term. In the short-term, these associates are “do-ers” and their talent enhances the quality of The Home Depot's work. Longer-term, this talent will develop into leaders that guide the strategic vision of the company, and since they started their THD career early, they will have a more wholistic understanding of Home Depot.
Innovative and Multi-Faceted Approach to University Recruitment
The intent of The Home Depot's recruiting efforts is to help students understand the breadth and depth of THD career opportunities. Most students have a positive brand perception of THD, however they do not realize that they looking at a $150B Fortune 20 company with endless career opportunities. The company seeks THD-specific student engagement opportunities where students get to know THD on a deeper level than a transactional conversation at a typical career fair allows.
Overarching Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
The Home Depot’s values guide the company on everything it does, and are embedded in its culture. Its expanded focus on diversity, equity and inclusion supports all eight of its core values, including respect for all people, giving back, and building strong relationships with other associates and customers. The Home Depot strives to build a workplace and retail space that reflect the communities it serves. A diverse and inclusive workplace also creates shareholder value by providing different perspectives and fresh ideas that spark innovation. The Home Depot intentionally builds mutually beneficial relationships with universities and diversity organizations, which provide a robust pipeline of diverse applicants for early career positions.The Retool Your School program, for example, provides campus beautification funding to HBCUs since 2009. By expanding the reach of this program, The Home Depot further strengthens its commitment to HBCUs and their students, including through career development opportunities.
Impactful Internship Program
The Home Depot internship program is an award-winning, paid 11-week internship. Interns are challenged to complete valuable and immersive projects that directly impact the business and are part of innovative and fast-paced teams with ample opportunity to grow. At The Home Depot, interns are equipped with the tools to establish the building blocks for their career and revolutionize the future of retail.
Growth and Development of the Next Generation of Talent
Home Depot is committed to helping its associates grow and develop in their career. Its internship program is its preferred way to source full-time early career talent because it allows the company to identify top talent, and provide them with insights into the breadth and depth of THD careers. Not only do early career associates have upward mobility within their existing organization, but every role at THD is “cross-functional” — meaning team members work with several other departments. The cross-functional nature of roles allows associates to grow into other areas of the business that may peak their interest. This helps create well-rounded associates with exponential career potential.