GSK Drives ROI Through Early Engagement, Better-Informed Applicants, and Higher Conversion

GSK are now evidencing early engagement ROI, have better informed applicants & improved conversion rates

In 2021, GSK approached Connectr Talent Technology with a challenge: they were generating interest from students during early engagement outreach in schools, colleges & universities, but losing touch after events – so impact ROI was tough to track and evidence.  

With Connectr’s technology, GSK launched a thriving student engagement platform, branded “Get Ahead”, in line with GSK’s brand identity. What began as a tool to capture interest has evolved into a central hub to engage early careers talent and drive more engaged and informed applicants, as well as providing GSK with valuable insight into the size, scope and behaviours of their talent pool, as well as how their brand is resonating with young people.

An engaged talent pool

More recently, changes to GSK’s global website meant early careers content would be significantly reduced. To address this, the Connectr Customer Success & Support team collaborated with GSK on a content migration plan, ensuring all essential information was transferred to the Get Ahead platform instead. The content was reworked into a bite-sized, interactive format with tailored journeys for students of different ages and locations. The results show real impact in action: 1 in 8 have taken proactive steps to complete tasks on the platform - a strong signal of engagement and intent. And over one third of successful hires had already interacted with the platform before joining, showing how GSK is building meaningful connections with future talent from the very first touchpoint.

Now, the platform offers students a deeper understanding of GSK, tackling misconceptions and authentically showcasing diversity. It not only supports GSK’s early talent pipeline but also provides valuable insights into the STEM sector, highlighting the wide range of career paths available and encouraging diverse talent to explore STEM opportunities.

Levelling the playing field

The platform continues to support applicants with practical guidance on the application process, stress management tips, and a realistic view of what to expect when applying for early careers roles.  

Personalised experience

Content journeys are carefully tailored for US and UK students, covering everything from internships to graduate programmes. GSK delivers bite-size, interactive content designed for different age groups, showcasing the company’s culture, sustainability efforts, and commitment to inclusion.

Authentic insights and employer brand experience
Leveraging digital Mentors (GSK colleagues who volunteer to support the next generation of talent), users can ask questions in a safe space to better understand roles and what it’s really like to work at GSK. This also saves hundreds of hours for the TA team.

Tens of thousands of messages have been exchanged through the platform, offering invaluable guidance to young people who may not have a support network for career advice.

The platform includes a fully safeguarded chat system, with automatic moderation and a full suite of training and support resources for mentors.

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A great tech platform and so much more

Too often, when firms buy new tech, they are left to set it up, make it work and drive value, not so with Connectr talent Technology.  

Our platform onboarding team set up the platform and enabled all the changes, and their assigned customer success manager, worked closely with the GSK team over the years, shaping user journeys and content experiences tailored to each demographic and their goals. Regular content reviews, knowledge sharing and quarterly sessions at the GSK office help keep the platform performing at its best.  

Mentor Awards 2025 Winners
GSK celebrated two wins at the 2025 Mentor Awards, with Craig Neville and Livia Kippax receiving the Platform Ambassador and Social Mobility Champion awards respectively.  

Craig was recognised for his outstanding commitment, having exchanged over 900 messages with candidates, while Livia’s award honoured her exceptional dedication to fostering inclusion and expanding opportunity for others.

The Impact of Mentoring, in Their Own Words

"[My mentor] has really made me feel comfortable, seen and heard. It’s really nice to talk to someone who understands my perspective on certain personal experiences and also aid me in my endeavours. It makes me feel like I matter, my voice matters as well as my personal and career goals matter. So thank you, I appreciate it a lot."
GSK Mentee  

Just like this mentee, 1 in 4 candidates have already connected with a GSK Mentor, receiving personalised guidance and building confidence early in their journey. GSK’s approach shows that early engagement done right isn’t just good for talent - it’s good for business, with measurable ROI and lasting impact on the future workforce.

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