Leveraging Millennials In The Workforce

The Millennial generation is the largest, most diverse generation in the history of the United States. Millennials came of age during one of the most turbulent times in American history. They were raised watching news reports about terrorist attacks, wars, natural disasters, and school shootings (Tuff, 2019). Millennial perspectives differ significantly from previous generations because the world that shaped them differed vastly from any age before.

Unfortunately, Millennials made a poor first impression in the business world. Partly because this generation is so different from previous generations; there have been many misunderstandings about how they think and act at work. One common misconception is that they do not want to work because they believe everything is handed to them on a silver platter (Tuff, 2019). The fact is that Millennials want to work, but they are looking for different types of work than past generations. This generation values flexibility and autonomy over security and predictability (Tuff, 2019). To recruit, procure, and keep millennial employees happy, HR departments must adjust to stay caught up with American history's largest and most diverse generation. Here are some ways organizations can adapt to attract the Millennial population into the workforce. 1. Recruit Millennials With Measured Precision The Millennial generation comprises many different types of people with varying experiences in life. They are not all alike, and they are not all looking for the same kind of job. Recruiting will require recruiting people from diverse backgrounds and demographics.

2. Acknowledge Values & Expectations Understanding Millennial employees’ needs are crucial for recruitment and retention. Millennials value flexibility and control over security and predictability. They value transparency and are likelier to leave a company if they feel unappreciated. 3. Leverage Social Media Millennials are known for being very active on social media. According to Pew Research Center, 91% of 23-34-year-olds use social media sites daily (Pew Research Center, 2018). This means that nearly all Millennials are using the internet, and most will be looking for a job one day. The best way for organizations to recruit these individuals is by ensuring websites are easy to navigate on mobile devices and computers. Many factors will play into an organization’s success with millennials. Organizations must ensure they take advantage of every opportunity to recruit, retain, and develop the largest generation demographic in the workforce. Furthermore, Millennials are no longer the youngest generation in the workforce. Generation Z is slowly entering the workforce and making an impact. Millennials are the most competent group to lead Gen Z into the workforce. Thus, making Millennials the most valuable asset to the current and future workforce.

References:

Pew Research Center. (2015). The Whys and Hows of Generations Research. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2015/09/03/the-whys-and-hows-of-generations-research/

Tuff, C. (2019). The Millennial Whisperer : The Practical, Profit-Focused Playbook for Working With and Motivating the World’s Largest Generation. Morgan James Publishing.