As 2025 introduces new hiring trends, how you assess fresh talent effectively is going to be vital for staying competitive. This blog unveils 7 proven strategies to identify top candidates.
Struggling to identify and connect with the right talent this hiring season?
As organizations gear up for management trainee and internship program recruitments, the focus is shifting toward fresh talent, especially Gen Z who will become major workforce by 2030.
This generation isn’t just searching for jobs—they’re looking for purpose, growth, and alignment with employers who share their values.
If your hiring methods feel outdated, now is the time to rethink how you attract and assess this future-ready workforce with respect to their expectations from the employer.
What Is Fresh Talent and Why Does It Matter?
Fresh talent primarily includes recent graduates or early-career professionals, often from Generation Z.
These individuals are tech-savvy, value work-life balance, and seek purpose-driven roles. They are also highly adaptive, making them essential for companies aiming to future-proof their workforce.
Attracting fresh talent is crucial because they bring innovative ideas, digital fluency, and fresh perspectives.
Research shows that organizations with a mix of young and experienced employees are more agile and productive.
However, to tap into this talent pool effectively, companies must align with what young professionals expect and connect with them through processes like campus recruiting.
Source: Toggl
Why Focus on Efficiency in Hiring?
Reducing the time to hire is not just about saving resources—it directly impacts candidate experience, which Gen Z values highly.
Long hiring processes frustrate applicants and increase the chances of losing top talent to competitors.
Additionally, identifying key competencies during the hiring process ensures companies select individuals who align with their long-term vision.
For example, competencies like adaptability, collaboration, and critical thinking are essential for building resilient teams that can navigate change.
7 Ways to Assess Fresh Talent Effectively
1. Utilize Gamified Assessments
Gamified assessments provide an engaging way to evaluate candidates while maintaining objectivity.
They simulate real-world challenges, testing candidates’ problem-solving, teamwork, and decision-making skills.
Companies like Nestlé have successfully used gamified tools to streamline their hiring process in the AOA (Asia, Oceania, and Africa) region.
By assessing fresh talent through gamification, they reduced bias and enhanced the overall candidate experience.
2. Focus on Key Competencies
Relying on resumes is outdated—real talent doesn’t lie on paper.
Focus on assessing key competencies like communication, critical thinking, and leadership potential.
These skills are vital for long-term success and adaptability, helping you build a workforce ready to thrive and lead with impact.
3. Streamline the Application Process
Simplify the application steps to keep candidates engaged. Lengthy or complex forms can deter fresh talent, especially Gen Z, who appreciate convenience and clarity.
According to Candidate Experience Benchmark report, the lengthy hiring process becomes one of the key reason behind candidate backing off from the hiring process.
4. Offer Personalized Feedback
Post-assessment feedback is essential. It not only improves the candidate experience but also helps rejected candidates identify areas for improvement. This transparency enhances employer branding.
When it comes to the young talent like Gen Z, they want feedback more than any other generation. The report suggests they want feedback almost on weekly basis which is more than any other.
5. Create a Digitally-Driven Experience
Gen Z expects digital fluency in the workplace, and the same goes for the hiring process. Use AI-based platforms, video interviews, and gamified assessments to create a seamless digital experience.
C-Factor by The Talent Games offer reporting portal at the end of the games for recruiters to filter out the best candidates easily.Â
6. Leverage Real-World Scenarios
Situational judgment tests (SJTs) present candidates with workplace scenarios to gauge how they would react. These assessments are excellent for understanding decision-making and emotional intelligence.
For a better candidate experience, the gamified situational judgment tests by The Talent Games are going to boost your employer brand.Â
7. Use Data Analytics to Make Decisions
Data from assessments can reveal patterns, such as the qualities shared by high-performing employees. Use this data to refine your hiring strategies and make informed decisions.
How Gamified Assessments Revolutionize Hiring
Gamified assessments are designed to be immersive, engaging, and predictive. Here’s how they help you assess fresh talent:
- Speed Up Hiring: Automating candidate evaluations reduces time-to-hire significantly.
- Enhance Objectivity: Game-based tools eliminate biases by focusing on measurable behaviors rather than subjective judgments.
- Boost Candidate Experience: Interactive games are more engaging than traditional tests, making candidates feel valued and excited about the process.
- Improve Talent Fit: Gamified assessments predict job performance more accurately by evaluating candidates’ real-world skills.
The key examples of how gamified assessments revolutionized hiring include Nestlé, which enhanced its employer branding by incorporating gamified assessments into its popular Nesternship program.
Another example is the Global Football Authority, which utilized these assessments to efficiently hire 20,000 volunteers for Qatar in 2022, demonstrating the scalability and effectiveness of gamified hiring solutions.
The Importance of Candidate Experience
For Gen Z, the hiring journey often determines whether they’ll accept an offer. A smooth, tech-driven process that values their time sets the tone for their perception of the company.
Conversely, a negative experience can tarnish an employer’s brand and deter top talent from applying in the future.
Enhancing the candidate experience doesn’t just benefit applicants—it also streamlines hiring for employers. Companies gain access to motivated, engaged individuals who are excited to contribute from day one.
Why Future-Proofing Matters
Assessing fresh talent isn’t just about filling current roles—it’s about preparing for the future. By identifying candidates with a growth mindset and strong problem-solving abilities, companies build a workforce capable of navigating challenges.
Fresh talent, particularly Gen Z, thrives in environments that value collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation. By nurturing these qualities, organizations position themselves as industry leaders.
Final Thoughts
Assessing fresh talent is no longer just about conducting interviews and reading resumes. With tools like gamified assessments, companies can revolutionize their hiring processes, attract top candidates, and build a future-ready workforce.
By reducing time-to-hire, enhancing candidate experience, and focusing on key competencies, organizations like Nestlé have already set a benchmark. You can also employ the same strategies to assess fresh talent to future-proof your company.
