Contestant's Case to Win

Come Recommended is an exclusive online community connecting the best internship and entry-level job candidates with the best employers. Unlike other exclusive recruiting networks, Come Recommended requires both candidates and employers receive at least three recommendations before accessing the community and its features.

As someone who has been in nearly every employment-related situation possible, I founded the site--in part--as a result of my passion for helping students and recent college graduates pursue their dream careers. I wanted to create a community that made this possible in an easy and affordable way--particularly in this tough job market. Additionally, as an experienced hiring manager, I know the difficulties employers face when looking for that perfect candidate. A community like Come Recommended can help close this gap and make the hiring process easier for everyone.

The current economy absolutely played a role in developing Come Recommended, as well as helped drive me into action. We are facing a growing nationwide problem: Students and recent graduates are competing against not only their peers but also individuals with more experience for internships and entry-level positions. And, hiring managers are being inundated with too many and/or unqualified resumes.

Although the unemployment rate recently dropped from 9.5 to 9.4 percent, this predicament will continue even after the job market returns to “normal.” I believe many people will leave their current jobs in search of something better when the recession ends. This means not only will the currently unemployed be searching for work, but so will the currently employed.

In response to the situations already described--in addition to shrinking HR resources--the way hiring managers seek out and employ individuals is evolving. The idea behind Come Recommended--creating an opportunity for highly recommended employers and candidates to meet and network in an online setting--just makes sense. Internship and entry-level job candidates and employers can “pre-screen” each other via comprehensive online profiles, real-time instant messaging, webcam interviews, and of course, detailed recommendations, all on the same Come Recommended platform.

At the end of the day, the job market will turn around, but the recruiting process will likely never be the same. Come Recommended keeps hiring costs down on the employer side and helps internship and entry-level job candidates capitalize on the various skills and characteristics they have to offer to set themselves apart from the competition.