How To Convince Gen Y Candidates To Choose You
Gen Y? What are we talking about? Well it’s likely you might even be one! Let me explain.
Gen Y is a particularly important group when it comes to candidate pools in specific sectors.
Let’s clarify exactly who we are talking about here and why you need a recruitment strategy for this specific group of candidates and fast.
Gen Y, sometimes referred to as millennial’s, are the fastest growing segment of today’s workforce. They were born from the mid-eighties onwards and are likely to be the employee group that will take your clients organisation forward this century. They need them in their company.
The internet has changed everyone’s lives; especially this group, that have never known life without the ability to be ‘plugged’ into the World Wide Web 24/7.
Imagine how that changes your whole perspective on life and what is available for you as an employee? As an ambitious recruiter, if you don’t have a strategy that incorporates or focuses specifically on Gen Y your recruiting efforts could be wasted.
It is easy to predict that social engagement, through social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are important. However, it is the way you engage with this group that is important.
Gen Y candidates ‘values’ are quite different to other classic groups you will be aware of and might have placed in the past. Here is a list of 3 important values that you need to be aware of.
Family first
Though these individuals are driven, money isn’t the overarching motivator. Family is important to them and they are looking for organisations that understand their need for a work life balance.
Telling them about the huge salary and bonuses if they apply themselves and work hard for your client isn’t going to get you the results you might have expected. However, letting them know about the flexible hours working policy and how they can work from home one day a week and attend their children’s carol concert each year just might.
An online life
Naturally tech savvy. Their life revolves around being connected. Think email, texts, webinars and social media.
Make sure they ‘see’ you online. Share content, connect and engage with them on LinkedIn. Re tweet their stuff; they will notice.
Results focused
They like to achieve. Brought up by baby boomers scared of making mistakes Gen Y boys and girls are confident and self-assured. They want to achieve and expect a high level of engagement from their employers. If you know your client is more ‘old school’ think twice before you put them forward as it is unlikely to be a match made in heaven!
By the way, be prepared to be challenged from the initial interview and interaction you have with them. They will tell you exactly what they want and what they don’t want from their recruiters.
Till next time,
Cheryl Wing and the GSR2R team