May 15, 2012 – Toronto

The Campus Recruiting Forum is produced by Brainstorm Strategy Group, Inc. and features plenaries, workshops and panel discussions presented by leading authorities and expert recruiters from across Canada and beyond.The 2012 Forum will feature all brand new content to engage both new recruiters as well as returning Forum participants.

There will also be plenty of opportunities to network with recruiters from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds as well as a special networking reception with representatives from colleges and universities at the end of the day.

Agenda Now Available! Please Click Here.

All details are subject to change.

Climbing Mountains: Aligning Brand Messaging to your Values

Darren Evans
Director – Brand and Creative Strategy
Calabash Creative Engagement Inc.

At one time or another, we have either worked with, or for, an organization that sports a particularly iconic poster behind the reception. The headline proudly pronounces, “Reach for the top,” or, “Realize your potential,” and is accompanied with the image of a man or woman scaling a mountainside. Fine sentiments indeed, but are they actually achievable without a culture that embraces such values?

Identifying real and tangible values that reflect your organization’s brand persona is the first step in building a holistic brand culture. Communicating on those values closes the gap between employer reality and the graduate/candidate expectation.
And delivering on experiences leads to bottom-line brand value.
Creating compelling social media solutions is a must have in today’s society, but only if the conversation is based around real and tangible brand values and stories.

In this presentation, Darren will outline the importance and value of focusing on those brand “golden nuggets” before defining social media and associated marketing solutions.

It is still good to climb mountains, but wouldn’t it be better to have a clear view when you reach the top?

 Building A New Employer Brand

Isabelle Morin
Group Manager – Campus Recruiting
Target Canada

Learn about the history of one of the most successful retailers in the U.S., the strategy that spearheaded their entry into Canada, the opportunity for students to develop their career with this dynamic company and the challenges and opportunities of building A New Employer Brand on campus.

Keys to Developing an Effective Presence on Campus

Shannon Costigan, Ph.D.
Senior Recruitment Partner, Student & Graduate Strategies
BMO Financial Group

What role do campus relations play in your recruitment strategy?
How important is in-person engagement?
How can your organization stand out in this market?

Join Shannon Costigan of BMO Financial Group as she discusses current campus recruiting trends and challenges and the key strategic decisions regarding the role of on-campus recruiting in your broader campaign. What is the relative importance of your in-person interactions versus your website, online advertising, social media, and other branding efforts? This presentation will explore the challenges of “cutting through the clutter” to make meaningful connections with students on campus as well as their key influencers. Participants will be encouraged to share their own challenges and successes, discuss best practices, and explore the merits of past and planned initiatives.

Recruiting the Best on Campus: What Really Works

Student Panel

This facilitated panel will give delegates an opportunity to hear directly from a diverse group of students and recent graduates about what really works when attracting and recruiting students on campus. What do they think of employers’ websites, their social media presence, and the in-person experiences created on campus and off? How have employers truly impressed them – or turned them off?

During this panel discussion, you will learn how accurate your current perceptions are of students’ career preferences and what drives their decisions. Ask questions, listen to alternate perspectives and join the debate! This is your chance to get “up close and personal” with your future potential candidates

Canada’s Top Campus Employers: And How to Become One!

Graham Donald
President
Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc.

Who are the top-ranked employers of students in Canada?
More importantly, what does it take to become one?

Whether or not your goal is to join the top rankings, the research behind the Canada’s Top Campus Employers Report reveals dozens of key findings and recommendations that will enable you to connect more effectively with prospective candidates, improve your brand image, and make your opportunities far more attractive.

Join one of the report’s co-authors, Graham Donald, as he shares insights based on research that has engaged more than 150,000 university and college students over the past eight years.

This exclusive feature presentation will explore a wide range of topics, including:

• How and where students learn about employers
• Who influences students’ career decisions
• How mobile technology is affecting the job search
• Expectations of co-op and internship placements
• Challenges of connecting with diversity students
• How students are using social media
• Students’ salary expectations
• And much more!

This is your opportunity to learn from Canada’s most comprehensive campus recruiting research and participate in the discussion of the results.

Virtual Connections: Using Social Media to Engage Students

Lisa Kramer
Canada Campus Recruiting Lead
Accenture

Many major employers are now using social media as part of their campus strategy. Some are building awareness on campus, and possibly even actively engaging students, while others are disseminating the same information they provide through other channels. Some are diving deep while others are just making light ripples in the water. But what’s actually working? How much effort is required to be effective?

On behalf of Accenture, Lisa Kramer, Canada Campus Recruiting lead, will present an overview of the importance of social media and some of the ways the company uses tools like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to connect with potential candidates and share careers information. Lisa will also share insights from her own experiences using social media to enhance campus relationships.

The Ultimate Recruitment and Engagement Tool: Leadership Development Programs

Meghan (Holmberg) Smith 

Head of Graduate Resourcing and Development
Direct Energy

Want to attract and retain top talent?  A Leadership Development Program for new graduates is the key to piquing the interest of the students you want, but developing the right program with a balance of what’s right for the business and the new recruits is the way to keep them.

Some of the highlights of the presentation will be:

• Benefits of a LDP
• Where to start
• How to attract top talent
• How to design a program that rocks
• Program sustainability and talent retention

Join Meghan (Holmberg) Smith as she shares her experience of building an award winning world class Leadership Development Program from the ground up and her lessons learned along the way.

Cocktail Reception for Employers and Career Services Professionals

Whatever you do, don’t leave early: this networking opportunity will be one of the highlights of the Forum. Talk with colleagues from other companies, meet new contacts from campus career centers, enjoy some complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and continue to explore the topics of the day.

Check out the sessions taking place at the Vancouver Campus Recruiting Forum here.