The sixth edition of Recruitment Speed Dating, which they have been organizing for students and employers from Olivia Centre and O4 Coworking for three years, has gained a new version. This time, the event is open to students of all universities from the Pomeranian Voivodeship. Start in Pomerania – the workshops ended with an unusual form of recruitment are a chance for 120 students to find a job.
What is the Start in Pomerania project?
Students from universities in Pomerania can choose from three May workshop dates, during which, under the supervision of experts from the HR and management industry, they will receive practical tips on how to strengthen their position on the labor market. In total, about 120 people will be able to take part in the workshops.
What’s next? Out of all the workshop participants, the best 20 will be selected and will have a chance to take part in the spring edition of Recruitment Speed Dating.
The workshops will be held on three dates to choose from: May 10, 17 and 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and participation is completely free of charge. Students will learn universal rules for writing professional application documents, practical tips on how to make information about yourself more attractive – in your CV, on Linkedin or how to increase the chance of being invited to an interview with your CV. The second part of the training will be devoted to self-presentation. Participants will learn how to talk about themselves in order to attract attention and convey the right content, or learn the secrets of effective pitching.
What is Recruitment Speed Dating all about?
Speed dating – speed dating, which aims to connect two people with each other, is increasingly being used in business. They have also become an effective form of recruitment in various industries. Around the world, as well as in Poland, such meetings are organized to familiarize employers with job seekers. Labour market giants such as Microsoft, Apple, Google and Airbnb take part in them.
O4 Coworking has already organized 5 editions of recruitment dates…
… And there is evidence that it works!
– We are after five editions and we already know that Speed Dating Recruitment has a chance to shorten the distance between the employee and the employer, give the job advertisement a human face, and warm up the image of large and small organizations. At the same time, it allows people with little professional experience to show themselves more fully than through a piece of paper, to experience – a bit relaxed and cheerful – and to build their first business relationships – says Marta Moksa, CEO of O4 Coworking.
For the employer, it is also a considerable time saver and an opportunity to get to know the candidate market. Speed dating recruitment is an effective form of hiring. According to O4 Coworking data, 60 per cent. recruitment interviews within the project resulted in employment.
Participation in Recruitment Speed Dating is an opportunity for companies and universities to test a new solution, but also to appear in the eyes of potential candidates as a modern place using market tools that are currently in trend.
O4 Coworking is the “matchmaker” of this success, but this project would not have been successful if it had not been for universities that want to support their students and help them find their way in the labor market. The partners of the 6th edition are the University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology, SWPS University and Merito University.
Where did the idea of implementing such a project come from at O4 Coworking?
– O4 Coworking has always been a garden of talents. Both for the Olivia Centre organization (a lot of our wonderful team is now supported by the investor’s team) and for the Olivia Residents. Talents were supposed to come from new technologies and startups, but they were also supposed to come from universities close to us, or in general – from a huge crowd of people using coworking, workshops, conferences. When it came to supporting our powerful corporate neighbors and innovative, agile, flexible O4ians in recruitment, we knew from the beginning that we would not be following the beaten path and, let’s face it, moderately effective. Our strength is building relationships, networking, connecting people in an effective way, in a relaxed atmosphere, with humor. This is how the idea of speed dating preceded – and this is the most important part of this project – by preparatory workshops for students was born. Structured form, professionalism, 1-on-1 conversation, gently stepping out of the comfort zone – it turned out that it works and really builds relationships – says Marta Moksa, CEO of O4 Coworking.
A chance for your dream job
This is the first time that the project is aimed at such a wide range of students. Previously, it was implemented in partnership with a specific university. In May, every final year undergraduate and graduate student and graduate student can apply to participate.
– Previous editions have allowed us to see that students and graduates entering the job market have a great need to take advantage of workshops that will help them effectively prepare for the recruitment process, and Speed Dating Recruitment allows you to overcome the fear associated with a job interview. We wanted to give this opportunity to as many young people as possible. Hence, Start in Pomerania – a project that allows you to get a good start on the job market – says Martyna Czarnobaj-Borowska, project manager at O4 Coworking.
Who are employers?
To participate from employers Companies that are residents of Olivia Centre are invited. The industries are diverse: from IT, through HR, finance and banking, to logistics. Among the employers of the previous editions there were companies such as: Acaisoft, Amazon, AMS, Arrow Electronics, Bayer Sp. z o.o., Develocraft, FUJIFILM Europe, infoShare Academy, Invest in Pomerania, Lyreco Group Polska, ManPowerGroup , Nørd HR, Nordea, Olivia Centre, PKO Bank Polish, PredictX, Randstad, Ricoh Europe, Santander, Sawa Logistics Sp. z o.o., SoftServe, Sii Poland, TELUS International, Thyssenkrupp, Winning Moves Polska, Xceedance Poland, ZR Trade GmbH.
– I am very happy that we were able to join the event. It is also a very interesting experience for us as employers. It is great to observe young people who are determined to gain their first professional experience. In such a short time, they are able to build a good impression, make people interested in themselves and their competences. The speed dating itself was organized in a professional way, and the pizza at the end was a great culmination of a busy afternoon – says
Alicja Sawicka
from Sii Poland.
– I wish I had the opportunity to do so 14 years ago, when I was entering the job market. Six minutes multiplied by the number of companies gives a huge dose of information about the market, which sooner or later will turn into a full-time job, and thus the development of each of the participants – adds Kamil Parafiniuk from Develocraft.
Who are the candidates?
Participants of previous editions rated the project as an enriching experience. Many pointed out that participating in it allowed them to tame the stress associated with the job interview and get to know their strengths as a candidate applying for a job.
– At first, I wondered if it was worth going to the workshops. Now, I can confidently say that this is the best student event I’ve ever been to. I learned how to write an attractive CV, how to perform well in a job interview and gained my first contacts. However, the most important thing for me was to overcome my fear of talking to my future employer and see that it is not as scary as it seems. Highly recommended – says Kuba Węgrzynek, a student at the University of Gdańsk, a participant of the previous edition of the project.
The 6th edition of the project is open to students of the last years of bachelor’s and master’s studies as well as graduates of Pomeranian universities. Applications are made online via the application form and participation is completely free of charge.
Start in Pomerania:arkshops for students
- 10.05. 9:00 – 16:00
- 17.05 9:00 – 16:00
- 23.05 9:00 – 16:00
Speed Dating Recruitment
- 31.05 8:00 – 17:00
