Attitudes toward work and careers change with each generation, and smart recruiters try to understand the available talent pool. Millennials, the largest generation in U.S. history,1 are entering the workforce in ever greater numbers, and by 2025 they will make up 75% of the workforce.2 As a human resource professional, if you want to attract the best, you will need to realize the power of social media in millennials' lives.
Millennials want to understand a company and connect with it before they even consider applying. Here are seven ways to harness some of the power of social media to bring in creative, intelligent, and educated millennials.2
- Use social media to position your company to prospective employees. Be sure to include your mission and values, but also share the more human side. Include employee testimonials, team events, community work, or anything that shares the true story of what you’re all about.
- You won’t be the only one on social media talking about your company. It’s important to stay on top of what others might be saying about your organization – especially if it is negative. Respond quickly and professionally before any stereotypes are set.
- Spread the word about your company by partnering with local community organizations or universities who can share your posts to their audience. Encourage employees to share their positive posts with friends and family in order to extend your reach.
- Be up front about sharing the values of your company in your social media posts. Many millennials look for companies supporting volunteer work and diversity so be sure to give your good works the limelight they deserve. And remember, images often speak louder than words!
- Tap into your marketing team to help you position social media posts and the story of your organization in a positive and creative way.
- Share a candid view of your company’s spirit by encouraging employees to post and share creative photos of their life at work.
- Most importantly, be genuine. Millennials tend to know when stories on social media are authentic and when they are contrived.
Communication with the workforce has changed. Millennials want to be involved and engaged, so reach out and show them why they should work for you.
If you are entering the human resource field, or looking to advance your career, one of the best tools you can have in order to face the issues that will come your way is to earn a degree. A master’s in human resource management can help you obtain the strategic, organizational, management, and analytical skills that will enable you to aid companies in meeting their HR goals. Walden University, an accredited institution, offers an online MS in Human Resource Management program that can provide you will the knowledge and skills necessary to hire and retain great employees.
Walden University is an accredited institution that offers an MS in Human Resource Management. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
1Source: http://pewrsr.ch/1UcT1B3
2Source: https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/0417/Pages/retool-recruiting-to-attract-millennials.aspx
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.