What To Look For When Hiring College Students

Whether you are looking for an intern or hiring a recent college graduate, judging a candidate based on their very limited college resume can be challenging. However, if you know what to look for a lack of experience won't stop you from finding great new hires. Here's what you should be looking for when hiring college students, based on Inc's recent column on the topic.

Is the student smart? Many students put their GPA on their resumes, but this is only one part of their intellect. How are their communication skills? Can they hold a conversation and answer your questions? Don't be afraid to ask for a sample of a students work before hiring them.

Is the student driven? This question can be answered in part by how well they prepared for your interview. Did they bother to research you and your company? Make sure they are taking the interviewing process seriously before investing in them.

Does the student have any achievements to back up their credentials? Although many wonderful potential hires may apply without any substantial achievements, there are still ways you can judge their potential. Will they be graduating with honors? What, if any, work experience is listed on their resume? If worried about their ability to perform at work, a quick call to their old supervisor can be telling.

Was the student involved on campus? Did they join any honors organizations or student groups during college? Were they involved in the executive board or charity events for their fraternity or sorority? Don't underestimate the people skills, time management, and planning required to run a student organization.

Hiring students will little to no work experience can be a daunting task, but we all have to start out somewhere. Using these tips, you can confidently hire a college student without the risk.