Yahoo Finance H&M freebie for job interview candidates
Swedish clothing retailer H&M has been praised online for its recent move to lend suits to job interview candidates for a day at no cost.
H&M’s ONE/SECOND/SUIT campaign allows men to book suits, have it delivered, go to their job interview and return it within 24 hours – with no strings attached.
“First impressions open doors,” H&M’s website states about the new campaign, created with London-based Uncommon Creative Studio.
“A suit isn’t an outfit. It’s confidence. A signal to the world and a reminder to yourself you’ve got what it takes.”
“Book the suit. We deliver it. You smash the interview. You return the suit. All free. Job done.”
It appears there is a range of different suit styles available, with the campaign featuring models donning a range of clothing, from casual blazers and denim button-up shirts to orange woollen turtlenecks.
The campaign website even includes practical tips to help job interviewees make the best impression at the meeting.
“Be early … test out your mic… know your interviewer’s name. Use it,” the tips state.
“Have an opinion. No one's expecting you to have all the answers. But they will want to know what you think about the job, the company and the industry.”
And if you really want this job, H&M doesn’t want you to be shy about it. “Say so. Being direct is a sign you know what you want in life.”
The campaign is already live in the UK, and is scheduled to roll out across America on 13 May.
News of the free 24-hour suit hire spread on social media quickly, with some UK locals already spotting the initiative in store.
H&M are offering suits for 24 hours free of charge for people who have a job interview.
Not sure if it’s all H&Ms but saw this in the Westfield branch. pic.twitter.com/ZOUbwx36jO— Coleen Mensa (@coleenmensa) April 21, 2021
The campaign, launched at a time when millions are still struggling to return to employment, was lauded by many as a sustainable initiative as well as being a nifty marketing campaign.
“I love this from [H&M]. Not only is it good for the environment, it strikes me as remarkably clever. How many in Gen Z will use this for their first interview/s and remember H&M as a result?” tweeted UK-based marketing manager Frazer Lloyd-Davies.
Responding to the tweet, digital marketing agency Ayudar Media said they “absolutely love this campaign”.
“Something as simple as borrowing a suit will provide struggling individuals with a stepping stone to a whole new world of opportunities. H&M's humanistic approach of remembering the little guy is inspirational.”
Other social media users also hailed the initiative as “fantastic” an “brilliant”.
H&M has 36 stores across Australia, encompassing all the capital cities (bar Darwin) as well as Wollongong, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, and Gold Coast.
Yahoo Finance has reached out to H&M for further comment on whether the initiative will be rolled out in Australia.
Make your money work: Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to the free Fully Briefed daily newsletter.
