If you wrapped up fall recruiting and dove headfirst into planning for spring, you may have inadvertently overlooked a large portion of high potential candidates: winter graduates.

While campus recruitment tends to focus on academic calendars, winter recruiting is an undervalued time to get ahead on attracting, assessing, and hiring qualified candidates. According to ERE, more than one-third of college students graduate at the end of fall semester—equating to roughly 1.3 million graduates who are ready to launch their careers. In addition, winter months tend to see fewer job postings compared to other months, translating to less competition for growing teams. There's no need to wait six months or more for them to start, allowing your company to get a head start on achieving its business goals or address any new-year employee turnover.

How to Engage Winter Graduates

Although most internship programs are scheduled during the summer, implementing a year-round internship strategy can effectively engage, assess, and hire winter graduates. Micro-Internships, in particular, provide a competitive recruiting advantage during the winter season:

• Availability of Winter Graduates: Post-graduation and during the holiday season, winter graduates often have increased availability. Simultaneously, hiring managers may be managing year-end tasks and planning for the new year. This period is ideal for assigning short-term projects that evaluate essential skills required for success in full-time roles. Moreover, it's an opportune time to engage spring graduates before their semester begins.

• Geographical Flexibility: Many college students express a desire to return home after graduation, a trend that has been amplified by recent global events. If your organization is not located near a college campus, now is the time to generate awareness of your entry-level roles through Micro-Internships. These short-term projects enable graduates to explore careers they may not have previously considered or known existed, allowing them to demonstrate the skills acquired during their degree programs.

• Reduced Competition: With fewer organizations targeting fall graduates, winter recruiting allows your company to stand out and capture the attention of students with ample free time. Utilizing Micro-Internships can keep graduates engaged in the months leading up to their official start date, fostering a sense of belonging and integration into your team even before their first day.

For personalized guidance on amplifying your winter recruiting efforts, connect with the Parker Dewey team.