From Renege to Engage - A comprehensive Keep Warm strategy map for Gen Z talent.

In today's fast-paced world of talent acquisition, organisations are in a constant race to attract and retain the best candidates. One key element of this process is the "keep warm" strategy, especially crucial when it comes to engaging Gen Z talent, who have their own unique expectations and preferences.

A recent webinar led by Seren Wilson, Director of Talent Solutions, delved into the essence of keep warm strategies and explored how organisations can transition ‘lukewarm’ connections into deep engagement with Gen Z talent.

This session was originally held at the New Zealand Association of Graduate Employers (NZAGE) annual Summit at the end of 2023 and was so popular it was requested to be held again.

“Thank you so much Seren. What a fantastic, helpful session!”

Below this summary is a link to watch the full recording and a link to download the PDF slide deck.

Understanding Keep Warm:

‘Keep warm’ typically refers to the period between extending a job offer and the candidate's first day on the job. However, with Gen Z candidates, it extends beyond this. It encompasses the entire journey from initial attraction to successful onboarding. Gen Z candidates are known for exploring multiple opportunities and desiring meaningful connections, so they require a more intentional approach to engagement throughout the entire recruitment process.

Why Keep Warm Matters:

An effective keep warm strategy is crucial in today's competitive landscape where job seekers have many options. Organisations risk losing promising candidates to reneging—accepting an offer and then backing out. Research shows many graduate candidates receive multiple job offers, making it vital for employers to differentiate themselves and build genuine connections to prevent reneges.

Shifting from Warm to Engaged:

While ‘keep warm’ suggests a passive engagement, organisations must aim for genuine engagement with Gen Z candidates. Instead of settling for lukewarm interactions, they should seek to evoke excitement, connection, and learning opportunities throughout the recruitment journey. By reframing from "keep warm" to "engagement," organisations show commitment to building meaningful connections from the start.

Crafting an Engaging Strategy:

To craft an engaging keep warm strategy, organisations must understand their audience—Gen Z candidates. These digital natives value authenticity, purpose, and continuous growth opportunities. Aligning unique selling points with Gen Z preferences, organisations can create compelling narratives that resonate personally with candidates.

Building Connections at Every Touchpoint:

Engagement should be woven into every interaction with candidates, from initial expression of interest to offer acceptance. Leveraging touchpoints like events, application responses, and pre-boarding activities, organisations can reinforce unique selling points and cultivate excitement about joining. Personalised communication and highlighting the full range of work benefits on offer can create anticipation among candidates.

Going Beyond the Basics:

Traditional keep warm activities like mentorship programmes and online learning modules are valuable, but organisations can enhance them with excitement, connection, and personalisation. Virtual meet-and-greets, pairing candidates based on interests, and customising learning experiences can create memorable experiences.

In today's talent landscape, organisations must rethink ‘keep warm’ strategies for engaging Gen Z candidates. Shifting focus from "keeping warm" to "building engagement" involves aligning unique selling points with Gen Z preferences and infusing excitement and personalisation into every touchpoint. Ultimately, a comprehensive keep warm strategy aims to ignite genuine engagement and lasting relationships with Gen Z talent.

How effective is your engagement strategy? Talent Solutions can support a full review of your engagement activation to help to ensure your unique selling points are being translated into accepted offers.

Talent Solutions are experts in early talent programmes (graduate, intern and cadet).  As a research-led early talent consultancy, Talent Solutions combines powerful data and insights with extensive experience working across a broad range of industries.  

Talent Solutions can support your attraction, selection and development strategies from video interview and testing tools to outsourced recruitment, strategic reviews and programme design.  If you have a challenge in the early talent space.  We have a solution.

Speak to one of the Talent Solutions team - you can contact us at info@talentsolutions.co.nz

Watch webinar here

Download PDF slide deck here