The Insitute of Student Employers has commented on mthree's latest Diversity in Tech Report.
A new report reveals what new and innovative strategies and platforms employers should embrace to engage early talent in the coming year, explains Tim Grimes at PLOY.
The battle for early talent is intensifying, and employers must adapt to a rapidly evolving recruitment landscape to win over Generation Z in 2025.
With this generation set to comprise 30% of the workforce by 2030, traditional hiring strategies are giving way to more dynamic, tech-driven approaches.
While hesitancy around joining platforms like TikTok persists—76% of employers cite difficulty in controlling professionalism, and 67% mention challenges in measuring ROI—new and innovative strategies and platforms are emerging.
To help employers stay ahead of the curve, we’ve summarised key insights from our whitepaper, The Ultimate Guide to Engaging Early Career Talent 2025, created in partnership with TMP Worldwide.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s shaping talent engagement in the coming year and how companies can stay ahead.
Video content dominates
Short, engaging videos are the most effective way to capture young talent. Formats like “day-in-the-life” videos and employee stories not only resonate but yield higher engagement rates (4.6%). As video CVs and cover letters gain traction, platforms like PLOY make it easy for candidates to present themselves authentically through video.
Creative content that converts
Emerging talent consumes three to four pieces of content before applying for a role, highlighting the need for varied and engaging pre-application materials. Employer branding, often three years behind B2C and B2B marketing trends, must evolve.
Employers should look beyond their competitors for creative inspiration. Consider brands like Monzo Bank and SURREAL as examples of innovative storytelling.
Social media as the new careers fair
Platforms like PLOY, TikTok, and Instagram have become essential for employer branding, with 76% of young talent using social channels to explore company culture before applying.
Balancing professional content with entertainment is crucial to standing out. Visual storytelling, particularly through short videos under 45 seconds, captures attention and builds brand affinity.
Employee advocacy shines
Employee influencers remain an underutilised strategy but are emerging as trusted voices in talent attraction.
Authentic, employee-driven content humanises the brand and builds trust, especially with a generation demanding authenticity. Incentivising employee engagement on social platforms boosts visibility while fostering loyalty.
Interactive recruitment processes
From gamified assessments to interactive job ads, creative hiring practices are redefining the candidate experience.
Over the next year, we’ll see more unique formats, such as 30-second video cover letters, integrated into recruitment. These add a personal touch to applications, showcase individual passion, and minimise candidates’ reliance on AI in the application process.
The impact of visual job advertising
Until now, the majority of job advertising has been static, word based formats. However, with the rise of platforms like PLOY & TikTok, visuals are playing a crucial role in advancing D&I agendas.
By using imagery and video-based content as job advertisements, employers can align posts with their culture, attract a broader range of candidates.
What’s your next move in shaping the workforce of tomorrow?
As we approach 2025, employers must avoid complacency with outdated and ineffective talent attraction strategies. While existing approaches may yield applications, they don’t necessarily attract the best or most diverse candidates.
By embracing new strategies, companies can position themselves as employers of choice, attracting and retaining top-tier emerging talent. The future of early careers recruitment lies in creativity, authenticity, and digital-first approaches.
