It’s no secret that millennials are having a particularly tough time in the current job market. In fact, recent research by Generation Opportunity, an organization connecting with young Americans through advanced social media outreach and traditional organization, points to a 12.8 % unemployment rate for people ages 18-29.
So when we came across this infographic by UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business Schooland the YEC, demonstrating the virtues of a millennial employees and explaining what it takes to retain them, it caught our attention. It also got us thinking about some of the best ways to recruit millennials.
Via MBA@UNC Online Business Degree & The YEC
Social Media – More than any other generation, millennials spend significant amounts of time on social media. We’ve all heard the criticism that millennials prefer texting to talking. While this is a gross exaggeration, millennials are connecting and communicating with each other more frequently and in a different way than previous generations. Whether it’s Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest, having a presence on these social channels is important for your recruiting efforts. The content you provide on these channels is just as important as being there. It should be compelling, original and give visitors something different than what’s on your website. It’s not enough to just post job descriptions – millennials are often looking for deeper insights into a company’s culture. Try posting pictures or video from office parties and get-togethers. If there is something particularly unique about your culture, social channels are a great place to share this.
Word of Mouth – With so much time spent on social channels, it is not surprising that millennials place a high value on the opinions of their peers. Most millennials want to work at a company that places a value on what they do and also acknowledges their contributions. In short, millennials are usually looking for something more than just a pay check.
One of the most effective ways to show candidates this is by using the testimony of a millennial already working for you. Use video footage of entry level employees talking about their experience and encourage current employees to reach out to friends or others already in their network. Employee referrals are a great way to reach strong candidates and people that are most likely to fit your unique company culture. If used correctly and perhaps even incentivized with a referral bonus, your current millennial employees can be one of your best resources for recruiting other millennials.
While inexperienced, millennials bring the unique characteristics and perspectives that will help keep your company culture fresh and vibrant. Without a doubt, successfully hiring millennials requires some tweaking to the traditional recruiting tactics, but the benefits can far outweigh any extra effort. As the infographic shows, millennials will make up 42% of the entire U.S. workforce by 2020 so it’s important to assimilate them into the workforce and get used to recruiting, and working with this generation.
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