Attracting and Retaining the Millennial Generation

April 20, 2010 - PRLog -- As days get longer and temperatures start to rise, there is a distinct feeling in the air that a new season is approaching: college graduate season.  The flood of resumes from this new group of fresh talent has already started to build, and will soon rise to a crescendo as graduates from across the country pour out from their respective universities and enter the real world.  With so many organizations to choose from, companies need to think about how to stand out from the crowd to attract new talent from the millennial generation.  

According to research from HR Solutions, Inc., recruiting Millennials is all about meeting their needs.  This generation is particularly ambitious and are looking for opportunities for career advancement, thanks in part to the fact that they have been told they are “special” their entire lives.  In fact, people under the age of 25 ranked career advancement opportunities as the second most important priority in the workplace, falling closely behind pay.  To meet this need, organizations should include information about opportunities for career advancement in their recruiting materials and consider implementing fast-tracking programs, which allow top performers to move quickly through or even skip entry-level positions.  Mentoring programs also allow organizations to personally respond to Millennials concerns about career advancement.

While job responsibilities, pay, and benefits are important, Millennials are also very concerned about work-life balance.  To meet this need, organizations need to stand out and show college graduates what makes their organization unique and a fun place to work.  Offering philanthropic programs, intermural sports teams, employee appreciation days, or wellness programs will help organizations to differentiate themselves as well as show potential employees that the organization cares about their lives outside of the office.

“In order for organizations to better understand the Millennial’s psyche, organizations must first understand that you do not ‘retain’ Millennials, you ‘evolve’ them,” said Chris Dustin, Executive Vice President of Sales and Consulting for HR Solutions.  “By implementing programs, like a mentoring program, that establishes structure, stability, flexibility, and fun, Millennials will be more apt to have the needed connection with an organization, thus producing better overall results.  Using this simple methodology for Millennials goes a long way in the evolution of an important generation that will, indeed, have a major impact on business outcomes.”

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HR Solutions, Inc. is an International Human Capital Management Consulting Firm located in Chicago, IL, specializing in Employee Engagement and Exit Survey design, implementation, and results. Contact www.hrsolutionsinc.com or call 312-863-6104 for info.