Finally! A Relevant Recruiting Technique To Attract Millennial Talent

Published by Ryan Healy on May 7th, 2007 in Recruiting | 1 Comment

You're not going to believe it, but I actually found an article that discusses relevant techniques to attract top tier millennial talent. We have written before about the sheer stupidity of text message recruiting and I have read countless other articles discussing "experts?? insights into recruiting and retaining this new breed of worker. Other than the amazing things I hear about Google and a select few other companies, I have yet to read anything that truly peaked my interest….until now. The Wall Street Journal article, Job Deferrals Add Options for Students, discusses a few companies that now provide an excellent new option for recent college graduates; deferring job offers to spend two years teaching at under funded schools with Teach for America.

The companies mentioned include J.P. Morgan Chase, General Electric, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, Bain & Co., and of course, Google. Finally, someone gets it. Most college grads would love a hefty paycheck and the ability to jump right into a successful corporate career, but we know there is so much more to life than a job.

As I have said many times, I plan to make a difference and positively contribute to society in one way or another. I may be making a big assumption here, but I believe most millennials feel the same way. Even my most success-oriented friends want to make the world a better place in some way. The problem is, when you are working ten to twelve hours a day and occasionally on the weekends, finding time to volunteer at a hospital, join the big brother program or teach inner city kids is not an easy thing to do.

Deferring a job offer for two years to give motivated entry-level employees a chance to make a difference and hopefully learn more about themselves in the process is an unbelievable way of creating the company loyalty that corporations (and young workers) are looking for. Some of these employees may decide they truly love non-profit work and will remain in the field. But the majority will honor their agreements and go to the corporate world for a few years, even if it is just to test the waters and learn something new.

I truly hope revolutionary programs such as these are more than a quick scheme to attract top talent in a tight labor market. College grads are experiencing one of the better job markets in recent years. With the continued retirement of baby boomers, while Gen Xers move up the ranks, the trend should last. However, companies should offer programs like this not only to attract the top talent, but because they want to create well rounded, happy, loyal employees; no matter the current status of the job market.

If other companies begin to follow suit, it will create a culture of excellence rather than foster the mediocrity that currently dominates cubicle life. For now, Google, JP Morgan, GE, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft and Bain get the official Employee Evolution Millennial-Friendly Stamp of Approval. If anyone has any first hand knowledge or experience with a similar program or with any of the these companies, we would love to hear your insights.