Recruiting today is different than it was even just a decade ago. Unemployment rates
are at a historic low, and finding and hiring qualified candidates has become highly
competitive. Both employers and job seekers have more choices, and information
overload is always a factor. This is what we mean by the “New Normal.” In this article,
you will learn about today’s recruiting environment, and what you can do to excel in your
goal of building the best team in your industry.

Employees are more mobile than ever.
According to recent statistics ( Jobvite 2019 Job Seeker Nation Report ), 64% of job
seekers stated they were satisfied with their current workplace. This number is up just
slightly from where it was in 2017 (62%). However, 82% of workers are open to a new
opportunity, and about half have had an interview in the past year. This is a fast-moving,
highly-dynamic environment for employer and employee alike. We will share the
implications and, more importantly, what you need to do to build and maintain a
workforce that keeps you ahead of the competition.

In the “new normal,” employees (particularly younger employees) are restless and highly
mobile both in terms of openness and technology. Moreover, although they are
generally satisfied with their jobs, they are apt to interview just to stay on top of what is
happening in the marketplace. While this presents a retention challenge, it is also good
for you as an employer provided you have the type of strategy we describe in this
article.

Company culture is a key factor for recruiting in
the new normal.
Many people think of culture as the manifestation of a company’s personality. When
employees talk about culture, they often mean three things: alignment on a common
mission (a clear, compelling vision for the future), work environment (managers who
“walk the talk”), and values (such as gender pay equity and the importance of diversity).
To get a read on your culture, review Glassdoor for candid comments. If you don’t like
what you see, make it an immediate priority to create a better and more compelling
environment. This may prove to be the best investment you can make in your
company’s ability to attract and retain top talent.
While this article addresses all workforce segments, there are a few specific
considerations when dealing with millennials. Chances are, millennials are a key part of
your workforce now and will be in the future.

Who are the Millennials?
Born from 1980 to 2000, millennials are the largest single generation at work today.
While they now comprise about one-third of the US workforce, this share is expected to
The Blade 2
grow to 46% in the next five years. Here are a few realities to keep in mind about this
segment:
● Raised in an era of layoffs, millennials are different in their attitude toward loyalty
compared to the Gen Y and Boomer generations that preceded them. They see
the gig economy as a viable alternative to full-time employment.
● Like all employees, millennials are highly motivated by pay. But workplace
culture, diversity, and flexibility are also very important to this segment.
● When surveyed about plans to stay with their employer, millennials at firms that
are considered diverse and flexible show much higher intentions to stay.
● Other generations may feel threatened by the growing importance of millennials.
Workers are worried about the potential of their jobs being taken by this
generation as well as being made redundant by automation.

Other generations in the workforce.
We talked about millennials, but you also need to factor in other generations who may
have different needs and motivations. For example, the Labor Department indicates that
the workforce participation of Americans aged 65 and older was 19.8% in 2018, up from
10.8% in 1986. This 9 point increase in just 12 years is amazing but not surprising. You
can encourage the senior generation to join your company and stay by offering
part-time work, as well as explicitly planning for knowledge transfer as they prepare to
retire.
Regardless of the type of employees that you are trying to attract, the new normal at
work means you are constantly in recruitment mode. Companies that win the race for
the best workforce will be those who take issues like culture, flexibility, and diversity
seriously.