Millennials have become an undeniable force in the workplace; in 2016, they became the largest generation of workers in the labor market. In an extremely competitive hiring environment, healthcare organizations looking to recruit Millennial providers must tailor their communication efforts throughout the hiring process in order to secure this cohort. Organizations who demonstrate responsiveness as well as a willingness to engage with Millennials via their preferred tool – a cell phone – will have an edge. According to a Gallup poll, texting was the most commonly used method of communication for younger Americans. Healthcare organizations who are unable to cater to the distinct communication preferences of this generation run the very real risk of losing qualified candidates.
When considering Millennial candidates, it’s imperative to understand how extensively their lives and technology are intertwined – and how this affects their expectations and the ways they communicate. A recent article on Inc.com offers an enlightening look at how gaming, the internet, and mobile technology shapes the lives and outlooks of Millennials.
- Multiplayer online gaming, where players don headsets to play games with other participants all over the world, has helped fuel the Millennial tendency to desire instant feedback, engage in diverse collaboration, and make a difference with their contribution.
- With the internet, and the ability to search for information using search engines like Google, Millennials have always had information at their fingertips. They are accustomed to getting answers to their inquiries almost instantaneously.
- The rise of mobile technology and social media have heavily influenced the ways in which Millennials interact with others. According to one study, nearly half of Millennials look at their phone more than 50 times a day. Texting is a dominant and preferred method of communication.
Millennials’ lifelong embrace of technology (and the way it has shaped their communication tendencies) informs how they prefer to interact with potential employers. Keep these key tenets in mind when recruiting Millennials:
- Choose Texting over Email. Millennial candidates overwhelmingly prefer to communicate by text message. In our experience, Millennials will reply to a text almost immediately, but it may take days for them to reply to an email message.
- Respond Promptly. Millennials reply to texts quickly, and they expect the same behavior in return, including from potential employers. They desire prompt feedback – evidence that the organization is serious about their interest.
- Remember That Time is of the Essence. When it comes to scheduling interviews, extending offers, and negotiating contracts, timeliness and fast turnarounds are imperative. Millennial candidates have limited time and availability. If an organization takes days to confirm an interview date, it’s very likely the candidate will have given that time slot away to someone else. When it comes to contract negotiations, quickly resolving issues and making adjustments is crucial. We have witnessed a candidate walk away from an offer and take another job due to frustration over how long contract adjustments were taking.
Because of our extensive experience working with Millennial candidates, Jordan Search Consultants understands what it takes to recruit and secure individuals from this generation. If your organization needs assistance finding the best Millennial providers, Jordan Search Consultants can help. Email us or give us a call at 866-750-7231.
