Client

Deloitte

Services

Strategy, Service design

Team

Andy, Teun

Strategy

Deloitte wanted to future-proof its recruitment approach and connect more meaningfully with Gen Z. Together with FRGRND, we focused on deep collaboration with the target group itself. Rather than guessing what they value, we made them part of the process. The strategy was clear: build from the inside out, with the audience leading the way. By approaching recruitment as a user experience challenge, we aimed to uncover friction points, hidden expectations and bold new ideas. This method ensured that any innovations were both relevant and grounded in real-life behavior and preferences.

Approach

We ran a full design sprint with the Employee Branding team. Over five days, we moved from research to tested concepts. We surveyed 100 students, ran brainstorms, developed bold ideas and prototyped new types of job interviews. Everything was tested in multiple focus groups with actual graduates. We explored alternative formats like gamified tasks, interactive online assessments and candidate-first onboarding experiences. All insights were captured in clear recommendations and design blueprints. By embedding the Gen Z voice into every step, the process felt as much like a co-creation lab as a research sprint and that was exactly the point.

Result

Deloitte walked away with a validated set of innovations ready for implementation. From video-first application flows to more transparent feedback loops, the final output reshaped how the company thinks about recruiting. The concepts were presented to key internal stakeholders, gaining immediate support for a pilot rollout. The design sprint format also proved its value: within five days, Deloitte had a sharp read on Gen Z expectations and a roadmap to act on them. Fast, efficient, and with the audience already onboard, the outcomes sparked real change inside the organization and a fresh outlook on what recruitment could be.