Humanising Hiring: From Campus to Corporate
Edition 28- Bringing Arts, Aesthetics and Emotion Into Entry-Level Hiring
Edition 28 – Bringing Art, Emotion & Aesthetics Into Entry-Level Hiring
Art has long been misunderstood in corporate corridors, rarely seen as a tool for adult learning, and almost never as a tool for hiring. It’s been labelled “soft,” “indulgent,” or “weekend-only.”
But art is not a luxury. Art is the essence of awareness.
And when it comes to hiring freshers, those on the brink of transformation from student to professional: “Awareness is Everything.”
Most campus hiring is transactional: CVs, scores, aptitude tests, panel interviews. But that approach often misses the most important factor: the human behind the resume.
At Be.artsy, we believe early talent engagement isn’t just a pipeline- it’s a canvas. How we begin the relationship determines whether we hire skills or potential.
The Campus Hiring Trap
Most campus-to-corporate transitions are designed to test for polish, not possibility.
Yet research is clear:
72% of Gen Z grads want workplaces where they can be fully themselves (LinkedIn Early Careers, 2022).
Gen Z values purpose and psychological safety over perks and pay (HBR, 2021).
New hires who feel “seen” in their first 90 days are 3.2× more likely to stay beyond two years (Gallup).
The takeaway? Potential shows up when we open a human dialogue not just when we evaluate performance.
Freshers are at their best when they are seen, not screened. They’re more open, honest, and fearless not because they lack polish, but because they haven’t yet been conditioned to perform in a corporate mould.
This is when they show their raw curiosity, resilience, creativity, and adaptability, precisely the traits most organisations claim to be seeking in future leaders.
Yet these qualities often go unnoticed. Why? Because the traditional hiring format doesn’t invite them.
Humanising Hiring with Dialogue, Art, and Emotional Intelligence
When organisations begin their campus engagement with dialogue, not interrogation when they use aesthetics, storytelling, and creativity, they unlock a window into how freshers truly think, feel, and act.
We’ve seen this time and again at Be.artsy. When we introduce theatre exercises, art-based reflections, or even simple, emotionally honest conversations during pre-placement engagements, something powerful happens:
Students drop their guard
They express instead of impress
They reveal values, not just answers
This is when potential becomes visible.
Be.artsy’s Campus-to-Corporate Performing Arts Platform: Be On The Street
India’s First Youth Performing Arts Festival With Built-in Corporate Engagement & Hiring
Long before “humanising hiring” became a trend, Be.artsy was using art to reveal human potential that traditional processes missed.
Launched in 2010 as a network of street theatre artists, we’ve spent over fifteen years working with corporates, governments, NGOs, and institutions to communicate for impact: jargon-free, face-to-face, and deeply human.
The United Nations Information Centre (India and Bhutan) has supported Be On The Street for all eight previous seasons, recognising its unique impact. This annual youth festival, invites college teams nationwide to create and perform street theatre around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Students step onto a stage, not to impress a recruiter, but to express themselves fully. The result? You see raw curiosity, resilience, adaptability, and leadership in action.
From Season Nine onwards
We’ve evolved into a live talent discovery platform- the first of its kind in India- where corporates can:
Spot potential in real time during performances and festival activities.
Engage directly with students through judging panels, workshops, and networking sessions.
Build employer brand visibility with hundreds of future employees.
Recruit fresh talent who have already demonstrated creativity, teamwork, and social awareness.
Why This Matters for Hiring
Moves hiring beyond CVs and tests to reveal how people think, collaborate, and adapt.
Attracts future leaders who value purpose and authenticity.
Strengthens corporate reputation by aligning with youth, creativity, and global goals.
Be On The Street – Five Talent Touchpoints
Financial Literacy Sessions – Open engagement on money by helping them build life skills beyond academics.
Battle of Thoughts – Teams critique each other’s scripts, showing critical thinking and feedback skills.
Public Rally – Spontaneous, high-energy communication in real-world settings.
Police-Supported Public Performances – Testing confidence, crowd engagement, and adaptability.
Final Festival Showcase – A multi-day celebration of youth performance and corporate hiring stalls and engagement.
Here is a brief look at how last 8 seasons looked like.
2010-11: Be On The Street Season 1
Cities New Delhi
Number of College Teams 15
Number of participants 300
Location of finale: New Delhi (Promenade Mall)
Sponsor: Vodafone
2011-12: Season 2 Be On The Street
Cities New Delhi (Select City Saket)
Number of College Teams 17
Number of participants 340
Sponsor: UNIC| NCPA
2012-13 : Season 3 Be On The Street
Cities New Delhi (Select City Saket)
Number of teams 18
Number of participants 375
Location of finale New Delhi
Sponsor: Ebix Cash
2013-14: Season 4 Be On The Street
Cities New Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune
Number of teams 47
Number of participants 865
Location of finale New Delhi
Sponsor: PepsiCo India
2016-17: Season 5 Be On The Street
Cities New Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune
Number of teams 24
Number of participants 550
Location of finale New Delhi
Sponsor support The National Stock Exchange
2018-19: Season 6 Be On The Street
Cities New Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune
Number of teams 41
Number of participants 960
Location of finale New Delhi
Sponsor: Be.artsy
2019-20 : Season 7 Be On The Street
Cities New Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune
Number of teams 61
Number of participants 710
Location of finale ONLINE (Covid-19)
UN support UNIC
Topics covered Sustainable Development Goals
Sponsor: Hella
2019-20: Season 8 Be On The Street
Cities New Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune
Number of teams 75
Number of participants 1100
Sponsor: Be.artsy
From campus to corporate isn’t just a transition, it’s a transformation. And transformations require care, curiosity, and connection. It’s time hiring stopped being a cold transaction and started becoming a creative conversation. Every season, we watch young people stop holding back and start showing their best selves. That’s the kind of talent organisations want- raw, real, and ready to transform the future of work.
Best | Shikha Mittal | Founder, Be.artsy
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People Please is a thoughtfully crafted newsletter for professionals seeking a fresh, honest perspective on learning and development, both personal and professional.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve collaborated with 450+ organisations across 48 industries, designing and delivering culture & learning and developing programs impacting over 500,000 professionals through my enterprise, Be.artsy. which I founded in 2010 in Delhi, India.
Be.artsy’s work has been widely featured in national and international media outlets including Forbes India, BBC, DW Media.
For culture building, learning and development programs and other business inquiries, please reach out to Be.artsy’s Growth Manager.