Written by Kara Detwiller
As baby boomers retire, the workforce is skewing younger. In fact, millennials will represent 75% of the global workforce by 2025. Some employers are ditching traditional recruitment techniques and adopting new tactics to attract young talent.
How to Capture The Attention of Younger Generations When Hiring
1. Be Mobile Friendly
To hire millennials and Gen Z, you’ll need to meet them where they’re at: on their phones. Over 75% of Gen Z regularly use a smartphone over a computer or tablet. If your website isn’t mobile friendly, you likely won’t reach millennials or zoomers at all, much less entice them to fill out a job application. Other ways to digitally adapt include:
- Maintain your social media profiles
- Offer mobile interview scheduling
- Keep job ads and applications short and straightforward
- Have videos highlighting company culture or give the job seeker the ability to upload an introductory video of themselves
2. Text, Don’t Call
It’s an unspoken but ubiquitous piece of millennial and Gen Z etiquette: don’t call them. Members of the younger generations don’t like talking on the phone, instead preferring quick, direct and asynchronous communication like emailing and — even better — texting. Send applicants updates via text or in-app messaging to keep communication flowing.
3. Take Inspiration from Modern Matchmaking Technology
Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge present potential matches in a stack of profile “cards,” and users swipe left or right to indicate their interest. Some hiring solutions, like QuickHire, have adopted a similar format to match job candidates with employers. Swiping provides a familiar user experience for younger talent, and it makes the application process much faster than traditional recruitment methods.
4. Promote Your Purpose and Values
Millennials and Gen Z’s are passionate about social issues and are eager to have a positive impact on the world around them. In one recent survey, 44% of millennials and 49% of Gen Z’s said that they have made employment choices based on their personal values, with sustainability and equality being in the top two values for young people.
Companies can appeal to younger talent by being transparent about their organizational values and social initiatives.
QuickHire Meets Millennials and Gen Z Where They’re at with Swipe to Apply
The older generations may be used to certain job hunting tools and processes, but millennials and Gen Z want a simple and digitally-focused job application experience. With QuickHire, job seekers swipe through jobs, and employers receive a list of the best matches for the role. Contact us to learn more about our mobile friendly solution!