One of the biggest conundrums of companies to date is “what do I do about millennials?”, “how do we hire millennials?, and “how do we change for them?”. The simple truth is you do nothing different and by all means, you don’t change for them.
It’s just like you have always done, you want the right candidate for the right job. You don’t change your identity or your culture for your friends, do you? Why should you do that for your company? Millennials are amazing and bright young adults. Remember when you wanted to change the world when you were their age? Did the companies change for you? Of course not.
As William Wallace said, “Hoooolllld, Hoooolllld!”. It’ll be okay guys. We will survive and this generation will take us to the next level. Be patient. ~ The Organic Recruiter
By – Candy Store | June 6th, 2016 ~ I asked a good friend (who chose anonymity) of mine who has been recruiting for top talent for a decade to give an undercover thought on talent today. For more candy just ask and I will go to the store.
Have you ever looked at a Millennial resume and thought “Why on Earth are you deemed the most important generation to recruit?” I have. I do often. I look at the resumes coming through and read all the articles about how we need to focus on recruiting this generation by tailoring to their expectations and think to myself: WHY? What makes this generation so special?
Well friends, I have to tell you: conception, perception, reception.
Conception
Every generation has a name. In a way, each one of us has been categorized and generalized with standard attributes of the relative generation. We are conceived and then misconceived due to these generalities awarded. There is truth to it but varying degrees.
| Generation Name | Births Starting | Births Ending |
| Baby Boomer Generation | 1945 | 1964 |
| Generation X | 1961 | 1981 |
| Generation Y – The Millennials – Gen Next | 1975 | 1995 |
| Generation Z – iGen | 1995 | 2015 |
Perception
Did Millennials make themselves special or were they designated as the special generation because of the luxuries they have from an inspiring environment? Did they become a byproduct of Gen X where inventions and dreams were evolving? There is an abundance in technology and ideas are enabled to flourish. Was Gen X taken for granted because it seems we have focused our attention on the Millennials? If Gen X had not paved the path, would the Millennials still be who they are today? Maybe the Millennials aren’t the Cool Kids. . .maybe it was the generation before them?
“Baby Boomers are exiting the workforce; a greater number of Millennials will join the workforce. It is estimated that Millennial workers (those born between 1980 and 2000) will comprise one-half of the workforce by 2020.” According to Evren Esen, SHRM-SCP and Director of Survey Programs at SHRM.
Reception
Gen X is middle to upper management today. The middle management workers are coaching and developing the Millennials. Gen X received the responsibility of bridging the gap between Baby Boomers who are now executive management, and Millennials who are the dominant workforce. Millennials were received by other generations with an apprehension because of the expectations and aloofness they exhibit. They are a generation that has not matured enough to define a goal. As interviews take place, often times you will see the classic Zoolander look loom on a Millennial’s face quietly saying “Who am I?”
Millennials are known for wanting to change the world. Let’s take a moment and acknowledge had prior generations not shared the same desire, we would be stagnant. As it stands, we are not. We are constantly evolving and that is the product of all generations combined, not just Millennials.
Are Millennials special and unique? Yes. So is everyone else. As we embark on our journey to recruit talent, it is healthy to take a step back and realize the tactic to recruit Millennials is no different than what has been there all along:
- Respect, develop and appreciate talent.
- Drive purpose to your organization.
- Take the time to embrace change, not fear it.
