How Generations Approach the Workplace Differently
New Rules?
33% of surveyed Millennials think it is acceptable to text during a job interview. Moreover, 30% believe it’s acceptable to arrive for a job interview late by five minutes or more.
Loyalty Matters?
One-quarter of Millennials believe that working at a job for as little as seven months indicates that they are a loyal employee. By contrast, Baby Boomers put the figure at five years.
Quitting Time
45% of Millennials would quit a job if they didn’t see a career path they wanted at the company. 34% would quit a job on the spot if their employer asked them to delete their Facebook page.
Seeking Hire Ground
47% more Millennials than non-Millennials found their current positions through an online job search. Yet, only 9% of respondents of all generations found their jobs through newspaper classified ads.
Mobile Matters
43% of Millennials think that they should be able to apply for a job on a tablet, and 39% expect to be able to apply for a job on a smartphone.
Attention Deficits
The study found that almost 40% of all applicants are not willing to spend a full minute reviewing a job description online.
Feedback Loops
42% of Millennials want feedback every week. This is over twice the percentage of every other generation.
Focus on Loyalty
33% of employees of all ages knew whether they would stay at their company long-term after being on the job for one week or less. That number skyrockets to 63% within the first month.
Making Work Pay
Compensation still matters but 58% of working Americans claim that their coworkers are more productive at work when they’re happy.
Focus on Transparency
73% percent of all employees want to know why they were hired over other candidates. 32% of all employees want to see and understand the progress they’ve made toward goals set by their manager.
Recommendations
Rethink recruiting by adding an “interesting, fun or unexpected sentence or paragraph” at the beginning of a job posting. Show off the company culture and reputation, including through the use of videos that appear real rather than fake.
Recommendations
Boost communication and dialog, including both frequency and feedback. Rather than a 15 or 20 minute meeting every month or two, consider using 30 second quick hit engagements that incorporate IMs.
Recommendations
Use a “New Hire Fast Five” approach that includes a five-day launch period with welcome e-mails, text messages and other social engagement. Include a company tour with someone of his or her own age and gender.
Recommendations
Offer immediate performance feedback, including visual metrics on a screen. Lay out a clear and identifiable plan for career development and advancement.
