Get Your Students Hired
Many of the participants in our training program are coming through state grant programs and many times it is difficult to get participation since they are already working with a state agency.
What are some fresh ideas for getting better participation rate (besides repetitive voice mail messages)?
Erica,
True that holding an event one time and making a judgment about results doesn't always work. Some events need to be held a few times to evaluate short- and long-term results. It takes running a few events to determine how to make them successful. Some events never work so it's good to watch for those and move on to something else. It is always important to measure ROI. Some return on investment can be measured in trends as well. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Hello Jessica, I would like to tell you that were I work we host open house and hand out door prizes as well as larger incentives for those that end up fining a job with our help. I will be honest in the beginning it feels like you are doing it for nothing but the end results will be rewarding. Hope this helps.
Andrea,
This is great. What is important is to work with students prior to the event and teach them how to reach their objectives. After the event it is important to talk about what went well and areas for improvement. Then it would be a total learning experience and way to build confidence. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
We invite students to help out at different types of career fairs, and community health fairs. That seems to help a lot with getting them comfortable with networking, and seeking their desired job.
Ingrid,
This is an interesting challenge - keeping in touch with grads. An active Alumni Community could help. Encourage grads to stay in touch with your school. This takes a plan, patience, persistence, and working together with your grads. There are many successful career schools with active alumni communities. Both the school and the grads benefit. Maxk offers a course with the details. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Not getting a response to phone calls, emails and letters is very frustrating. I have sent private message on facebook and still no response.
I have managed to get in touch with some graduates after relentlessly calling and emailing. Persistence has paid off but I do worry about being too persistent to the point of being accused of harassment.
I am visiting each class prior to graduation to remind them that I will be contacting them regarding employment and the reasons why. What else can I do?
Jessica,
Interesting situation. Any way you can all benefit from the additional coaching the individual is getting? Bottom line - did the individual get a job? If yes where? And what is the salary range? And how can you continue to stay in touch. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
The students are usually long term unemployed. And many of them have finally turned to the state agency because their benefits are running out. The problem we seem to be seeing is that the agency that awarded the grant is suggesting they use our job placement assistance services so the student thinks it is required. Our services in many ways duplicates the agency services.
Jessica,
Hi Jessica - not sure about your response. Are you saying that students are already employed so don't respond to questions about their work? Or is the state agency working with them to get jobs? If that is the case perhaps the agency will provide the placement information. It is always a challenge when people don't respond to phone calls and don't answer. We try to email them and even send letters. But as you know, that doesn't work either. Truly a challenge! Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz