Recognized for Excellence in Every Campus Forward Award Category
W.W. Grainger, Inc. 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 W.W. Grainger, Inc.'s unwavering excellence and commitment to providing the best experience for the next generation of talent. W.W. Grainger, Inc. 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
Grainger’s Early-in-Career team is dedicated to attracting and sourcing early career talent by attending in-person and virtual career fairs as well as hosting events at Grainger and at universities with targeted information sessions in areas like tech, supply chain, sales, and finance. At these Grainger events, students can ask leaders and early career Grainger team members questions and learn about specific roles firsthand. They can also have their resume reviewed, practice interview questions, and their pitch. Grainger attends about 150 early career recruitment events and university fairs, including career fairs focused on diversity and early in career talent.
Excellence in Tech Innovation
Grainger strives to provide an excellent candidate experience, with response times to candidates of three days or less. To achieve this, Grainger leverages technology to improve the recruitment process. During fall recruitment, Grainger processed over 10,000 applicants using Smartsheet data mesh capabilities and career fair-specific QR codes to stay organized and handle the high volume of candidates efficiently. These tools also help the Grainger team stay organized by business function and track who is attending and supporting each event. The Early-in-Career team further utilizes technology to participate in virtual career fairs, university-specific events, and candidate interviews.
Excellence in Candidate Experience
At Grainger, the candidate experience is a top priority for talent acquisition, helping ensure a positive experience. Grainger’s recruiting team provides candidates with resources such as the timeline of the interview process, interview prep support, contact information for leaders and Early-In-Career team members, and availability to answer questions any time. After a candidate is hired, they are connected with a mentor who helps guide them through onboarding and remains a friendly face during transition. Grainger also has a Campus Connect monthly newsletter that is sent to early-in-career talent from the time they are hired through their start date that keeps the future team member up to date on company updates and introduces them to other early-career team members.
Excellence in DE&I
To execute against its talent strategy, Grainger finds new and unique ways to engage with diverse talent and establishes partnerships with many diverse professional organizations. Key partnerships include HACE, Out & Equal, Disability:IN, and the Thurgood Marshall college fund. Through these partnerships, the company participates in career events and engages talent from non-traditional backgrounds. Grainger’s strong relationships with HBCU’s focus on attracting early career talent and providing opportunities for alumni to give back to their alma mater. Grainger is also proud to partner with organizations like iMentor and Pitch In Chicago to coach, mentor, and make a difference in the lives of middle and high school students from underserved communities.
Excellence in Internship Programming
Preparing early career talent for long-term success at Grainger is a critical component of the company's talent strategy. Grainger offers a variety of internship programs that build broad foundational knowledge of the company and often result in offers for full-time employment after graduation. All interns are provided with dedicated hands-on training, mentorship and networking opportunities, and a peer cohort community to accelerate their development. Grainger hosts in-office internships and interns receive fully coordinated and funded housing to ensure they can put their whole focus into learning and development while building a stronger connection to the organization and team. These actions help demonstrate why 100% of Grainger’s 2024 interns indicated they were able to grow personally and professionally through the program.
