Recruitment Strategies: The Power of Coffee

Americans consume approximately 12 million pounds of coffee every year. With that in mind, we think it’s officially safe to say: we really love coffee.

We love coffee first thing in the morning with our breakfast. We love coffee in the afternoon for a little pick-me-up. And, we should also love coffee during the recruitment process. 

Casual coffee meetings are a powerful recruitment strategy. It allows you to see the candidate in a new light, build personal connections, and attract top millennials. Don’t shy away from these coffee shop conversations. Yes, they are informal, but you will gain valuable insights and find the right cultural fit for your company.

Here are three reasons why grabbing coffee with a potential candidate is an important recruitment strategy:

A more personal way to build relationships: In a formal interview setting, candidates are nervous and are over-thinking every answer. There isn’t much room to foster a relationship and build a connection over shared hobbies or interests. But, in a casual coffee shop environment, conversation flows easily and both parties feel more comfortable with each other. Laying this foundation will result in a more substantial, long-term relationship.

The informality appeals to millennials: Millennials crave flexibility and choice. When boundaries or inflexible structures are set in place, they are immediately turned off. A coffee shop setting is perfect for Generation Y. They will be more open to sharing their ideas and showing their personality. You can really see the millennial candidate shine in a flexible environment. And, with millennials making up 75% of the global workforce by 2025, this is a critical first step in recruiting and retaining them.  

A true test of cultural fit: Meeting for coffee will allow you to observe the candidate in a variety of different ways. How does she act in a public place? How does she handle small talk? How does she interact with the cashier? Is she comfortable being thrown into new, unexpected situations? All of these exchanges can give you valuable insight into the candidate’s potential for a cultural fit at your company.

Have you met a candidate at a coffee shop during the recruitment process? How did it go? Let us know in the comments!

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