Graduate recruitment can be a busy time, however a strong branded merchandise strategy may just help more than you think...  

Branded merchandise isn’t just a recruitment freebie, it can be a really successful investment to elevate your firm's reputation, visibility and relationship building. When it’s thoughtfully designed and distributed, it helps create royal advocates and memorable first impressions. 

In today’s competitive recruitment space, law firms, accountancy firms, insurance companies and the likes, have to do more than ever to stand out and attract the best talent for their teams. Branded merchandise has emerged as a powerful recruitment tool, here’s how and why...  

Increased brand recognition 

Walking away from a career fair with a branded tote bag full of branded goodies ensures the firm stays front of mind, especially when students are considering more than one firm to apply to. If you’ve got a bag full of cool, useful branded items from one company and a simple leaflet from another – which one will you remember more?  

Creates a sense of belonging  

Branded hoody's and T shirts make individuals feel like they belong somewhere, they boost a sense of community, before working relationships have even begun. 

Drives social engagement  

People love to share their branded goodies across social media. They share their experiences and create new hashtags with the potential to go viral and trend. Enthusiastic graduates are often seen as ambassadors; influencing others who have not yet decided on which firms to apply to work to.  

Builds lasting connections 

Well designed, high quality items can provide long term reminders of the brand, lasting long past graduation. 

So what sort of branded merchandise should firms be considering? Here’s our quick list of the items that we believe stand out from the crowds and always have a positive reaction during graduate recruitment...  

Personalised welcome packs 

Perfect as giveaways on recruitment days and career fairs. Include custom high quality branded notebooks with a matching pen, reusable coffee or water mug and an electrical item. According to research, in some companies, meaningful touchpoints such as a personalised welcome packs, can improve retention for up to 28%.

Tote bags and backpacks

Perfect for carrying all the above items from a career fair. Stylish enough that the graduates will want to use these for every day use – not just for work.  

Technology items

Quality chargers are rarely disgarded and can be used for years so portable phone chargers and items like branded USBs are some of the most popular choices when it comes to branded merchandise. 

 

Sustainable items

These days, a lot of people love the sustainable journey and seek out sustainable products rather than those that cannot be recycled. Think about bamboo pens, recyclable notebooks, ecofriendly water bottles.

Stationery

Not only can these look really cool but they're practical for the every day use these graduates will be about to experience. Notebooks, pens, pencil cases. 

Apparel

High quality branded hoody's and T-shirts. Again, an item that graduates will potentially use as an everyday item rather than just at work if the material, design and branding is right.

Final Top Tips for anyone preparing for graduate recruitment... 

  • Choose useful, high quality items 

  • Always align with your brand 

  • Incorporate merchandise in as many touchpoints as possible  

  • Encourage social sharing 

Take a look through our new Graduate Recruitment Lookbook and reach out to the Streamline team today to find out how we can source, design, deliver & manage all your graduate recruitment merchandise for you.