Author - Lise Austen, Recruiters’ Club Manager, MyPlus
First impressions count!
For any organisation looking to target the talents of disabled students first impressions across all touch points in the early stages really count. Every interface the student encounters, from your website and careers events to company representatives who will engage with the student, must consistently make them feel that you are inclusive of everyone, including those with disabilities.
As an increasing number of employers are recognising the value of diversity, for those responsible for early years recruitment it is important that they acknowledge the growing number of students with disabilities and have a plan in place to engage with this growing talent pool. Many employers find this hard but, in reality, it really isn’t; it just needs a plan, commitment and sufficient resources.
So how do you effectively market yourselves as employers of choice to the growing number of students who have a disability?
Promote your commitment to disability on your website
Disabled students are more likely to apply to your organisation and disclose their disability if you have information on your company website positioning you as a disability confident employer. Your website plays a huge role in creating that first impression and will be a deciding factor in whether a student will apply. It is therefore crucial that your disability confident messaging features on your main pages and includes information about your commitment and approach to disability, and incorporates statements of leadership support.
Demonstrate your commitment on your careers page
On your career pages you should encourage students to request the support they require by highlighting the support available to them during the recruitment process and making it easy for them to contact the relevant person by providing their email and telephone number. Wherever you can, normalise disability by sharing stories from disabled employees to showcase what you do including the support you provide.
Build relationships with educational establishments
Dependent on which types of students you are looking to attract, reach out to Schools, Universities, and higher education institutions; develop relationships with them and position your organisation as disability confident.
Engage confidently with disabled candidates
The key is to make sure everyone representing your organisation in the recruitment process is confident to engage with disabled candidates and able to talk positively about your approach to disability and support on offer. This can be achieved through awareness raising events, training and providing briefing notes.
Share your disability confidence on social media
Use your social media platforms to position your organisation as inclusive of individuals with disabilities and share your employee stories and any news related to disability, such as awards you have won.
Market your organisation as a disability confident employer on job adverts
If you advertise early years jobs through a third party be sure to include information that is relevant to any prospective disabled candidates. If you advertise with Target Jobs, through our partnership with them, any employers who are also working with us are able to include the following badge at the bottom of their profile page demonstrating their commitment to disability:
You can also directly connect with disabled students by advertising on www.myplusstudentsclub.com which has an established audience of students with disabilities looking for career information and opportunities. Important to remember though is that this is only a portal for you to advertise; the candidate applies to you directly and you manage the recruitment process enabling you to build your confidence and know how to support disabled candidates, normalising disability recruitment so that it becomes an integral part of what you already do. However, should you require support MyPlus are able to help you develop your confidence by providing any knowledge and advice you may require.
The key to effectively marketing your company as an employer of choice to the growing number of students with a disability is to take the time to ensure that every interaction a student has with your organisation is inclusive and appeals to them, making that first impression count.
Members of the MyPlus Recruiters’ Club, our membership forum aimed at helping employers build their confidence to attract, recruit and develop disabled individuals have access to the Student Marketing Toolkit which provides more in-depth details of everything covered above in a step-by-step approach. Members also have access to the Students’ Club website enabling them to connect with disabled students by profiling their organisation so they can demonstrate their approach to disability, advertise jobs and events for students with disabilities and share disabled employee stories to show how good with disability they are. For further information visit our Recruiters’ Club page.
