The secrets to successfully recruiting millennials
by. Charles Shanley, SPHR, CFS, Executive Vice President, Recruitment Services
And just as they bring a fresh new approach to the office environment, many Millennials have a very different perspective on how to look for a job than their predecessors who were hired by financial institutions over the last half century. This poses an interesting challenge for search directors who are accustomed to more traditional tactics to find the best candidates.
Technology opens the door to connections
Given their affinity for social media, Millennials don’t bother with typical job search practices – such as posting their resume on job boards. Instead, they use social media sites – like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and others to create and reinforce their network. Today, a reported 75 percent of U.S. employers utilize social media for recruiting job candidates. If your institution isn’t among this group, you are missing out on an opportunity to find access to the talent you are seeking from this age group.
Additionally, Millennials are using technology to learn about your institution well before they meet for a face-to-face interview. Likewise, you should do your homework and find out as much as possible about your candidates. Visit their LinkedIn profile to learn more about their work experience and what interests them professionally and personally. It’s also important to make sure your financial institution’s online presence represents your organization well, because this is where many young professionals get their first impression of a potential employer. If you don’t have an online presence, or the one you have is outdated, you may lose your top candidates to a more socially connected institution.
Turn the interview into a conversation
According to industry studies, Millennials aren’t impressed with the traditional “getting to know you” interview process. With the information they have learned about an organization in advance of the first meeting, they are ready to have a discussion on how their skills can benefit the financial institution and vice versa.
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