5 Recruitment Trends in Hiring and Managing the Millennials

2017 brings new beginnings, fresh starts and also new challenges. Recruitment and management front are changing far more rapidly this year as the workplace is evolving faster than you can imagine. Millennials are the key drivers to these new shifts as they are now old enough to be in management roles or to take over the corporate leadership from the Baby Boomers. It is therefore important for you to acknowledge them and to harness the true potential leadership skills of the millennials.

Here are five trends to look out for in the year 2017 when hiring and managing the millennials:

1. Passing the Torch to Millennials

Millennials are the future leaders for today's workforce. As the older generation slowly steps down, they are bringing along their older mind-set and traditional ways allowing room for the millennials to start implementing new modern ways to run the company.

As millennials move up in ranks, hiring and managing the right millennials for these decision-making positions will be important to ensure a smooth transition of passing the torch. Plan your recruiting strategies ahead with the realisation that this generation will be the future leaders of your company and consider developing an early leadership program to prepare them for their upcoming management role.

2. Flexible Working Hours Creates a Balance

Millennials place high importance on work-life balance apart from attractive salary package and other financial benefits. This aspect becomes more necessary due to the sheer demands of work and our "always on" society. Companies offering a balance in work-life and flexible working hours often attract this generation.

A flexible approach also helps companies retain their best talents as these talents are able to deliver great work but in a way that is aligned with their lifestyle, providing a win-win situation for all. Soon, the standard 9 to 5 work hours will fade away. This change will also be inevitable as the millennials slowly take charge of the company work culture.

3. Casual Workplace Culture and Office Attire

In the past, uniforms are a common sight and are often required working attire. However, in less than a decade, the dress-code policies have changed and this trend is largely influenced by the millennials as they generally dislike wearing formal attire for work.

The trend continues in 2017 as more and more employees are now working remotely elsewhere or from home, resulting in an increase of a casual workplace culture. Therefore, to attract and retain the millennials, companies need to start relaxing their dress-code policies by dropping their suits and ties in exchange for casual shirts and jeans.

4. Flexible Performance Management Systems

Millennials are also transforming the annual performance reviews. In contrast with their previous generations, the millennials constantly seek for instant feedback. This is a behaviour they pick up from the quick response time they often receive on social networks and other interactive technologies. This results in them having lesser patience compared to their predecessors and they are more reluctant to wait for one whole year to learn on their strengths and areas of improvement.

To stay ahead on this trend, companies should start implementing a system that promotes regular reviews or schedule monthly conversations with their employees to constantly stay on top of their target performance and development needs.

5. Out Goes Hierarchies, In Comes Creative Teamwork

Millennials grew up sharing ideas and innovation on social networks and other interactive technologies therefore they are collaborative in nature. They do not understand traditional hierarchies and will not hesitate to spread collaborative effort across their organisations when they become leaders.

To harness these talents, companies need to adapt an engaging collaborative effort, not a command-and-control approach. In a collaborative environment, the millennials will be undoubtedly closer to their co-workers and encouraged to work together and share their ideas leading to a positive progressive work experience.

As the landscape of the workforce continues to change with the passing of the torch from the older generation to the millennials, the business environment for talent becomes increasingly competitive and requires more strategic planning than ever before. Companies need to adapt to these changes, to innovate and transform accordingly in order to thrive in this new age of employee empowerment.