Recruiting for cultural fit over skills for better retention

Description

Campus recruitment, when companies visit educational institutions such as colleges and universities to recruit students for internships or full-time positions, offers advantages for both students and organizations:
Students can obtain employment before graduation, often in their field of study, while organizations can access a pool of young, talented individuals eager to begin their careers.

For an extended period, campus recruitment has been a crucial method for companies to tap into a talent pool equipped with the latest knowledge and skills in their field.

In the rapidly evolving modern work environment, however, knowledge and skills are subject to becoming outdated. Consequently, the value of what students have learned during their multi-year higher education does not hold the same weight as it once did.

Instead, campus recruitment efforts should emphasize hiring for culture add.
Culture add is a relatively new concept that represents a strategic approach in human resources, emphasizing the importance of hiring individuals who not only align with the company’s existing culture but also actively contribute to enhancing it.

Unlike the traditional concept of ‘culture fit,’ which focuses on assimilation into the organization’s existing culture, culture add seeks to identify candidates who bring new dimensions, perspectives, and skills that complement and enrich the company culture. Some main benefits of the culture add approach include driving innovation and adaptability and broadening the team’s skill set and perspectives.

This leads to the following statement:
“Campus recruitment should prioritize culture add over technical skills to ensure long-term employee retention and satisfaction.”

Moderated by Neelie Verlinden