Building an Innovative and Multi-Faceted Approach to University Recruiting

Verizon’s collective approach includes getting leaders involved in recruitment efforts to provide candidates a 360 view of the organization and roles available within their desired career areas. Campus teams host information/professional development sessions, resume workshops, and other engagement events for new hires. Verizon's Campus social strategy builds brand equity with this audience by sharing authentic stories through Verizon Careers social platforms, especially LinkedIn and Instagram. They include quotes from employees on their career paths, videos about their experiences, and personal stories. Campus social posts are some of their most highly engaged content as part of our overall careers strategy - the 2021 Intern social post was one of their most engaged posts: 63K Impressions, 8.7K Engagements, and 13.9% Engagement Rate. ​They amplify their Campus posts on the I am Verizon employee advocacy platform for their HR community to share on their social channels.

Crafting a Standout Candidate Experience

The candidate experience is a critical part of Verizon’s Campus hiring strategy. Prior to each interview, a recruiter walks the student through the job overview to provide a realistic preview. This includes insight into culture, projects, future opportunities, interview expectations, and an opportunity to ask questions. With the shift to a virtual hiring model, it’s critical to Verizon to preserve the same quality students would have from a face-to-face interaction. The company created a customized virtual events platform that fosters open communication and social engagement. Verizon's keep-warm process ensures that students who will be joining them are updated on relevant company information. Further amplifying the candidate experience, Verizon’s Brand Ambassador Program focuses on 28 Core schools (including 11 HBCUs) that align with its Strategic Workforce plan. The program strengthens its partnership with these schools, supports talent and business initiatives on campus, grows the employer brand, and builds a talent pipeline.

Moving the Needle on Diversity & Inclusion

Moving the world forward takes more than the best technology, it takes the best people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Verizon has a number of initiatives to ensure a diverse candidate pipeline. --- Verizon jobs wrap to hundreds of local and national diversity job sites. Verizon’s diversity partners include Grace Hopper, GMIS, SHPE, SWE, and NSBE. The company engages potential hires at the high-school level through National Academy Foundation for summer internships that offer certifications, mentorship, and real-world experience in STEM. Verizon also supports other programs such as adfellows and Break Through Tech. Once onboarded, Verizon also has a number of initiatives designed to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace including Brand Ambassadors, ERGs, and alumni matching.