Generation Y to Significantly Impact the Workforce

Experience, Inc., the nationís leading provider of career services for college students and alumni, released its annual top five Generation Y management trends. These trends offer much needed insight to human resources executives, recruiting managers and business owners to help them formulate strategy and implement effective entry-level talent pool development, qualifying and retention programs.

By understanding these five trends outlining Gen Yís role in the workplace, employers will benefit from passionate, empowered employees and a more productive work environment. Below are the key considerations every business owner and manager should take into account when working with and managing Gen Y in todayís economic climate:

1. Support social networking. Allowing and supporting access to networking media, including social and professional online networks, builds trust between Gen Y employees and managers and can be linked to workplace productivity.

2. Leverage Web 2.0. Providing access to information immediately and in multiple Web 2.0 formats, such as wikis, blogs and podcasts, is critical to a productive and cross-functional work environment.

3. Provide agile feedback. Gen Y employees react positively to constant and rapid feedback versus more traditional yearly - or even quarterly - performance reviews.

4. Build loyalty. Managers who help their employees navigate the opportunities and challenges they face in entry-level jobs will create loyalty and a sense of commitment among their Gen Y workers.

5. Recognize evolving job requirements. Due to the advancement and adoption of new technologies, jobs Gen Y employees will hold five years from now donít even exist today; therefore there is a need to adopt new ways to train and educate this generation.

ìEvery organization wants to get more out of each employee. Unlocking the potential of Gen Y employees will ultimately help minimize turnover by keeping younger employees engaged, challenged and appropriately rewarded,î explains Jenny Floren, CEO and founder of Experience, Inc.

Jenny Floren has been helping companies understand the impact of young adults in the workplace for more than a decade. Floren is the author of a forthcoming book about the historic impact of Gen Y on the workforce, due out in spring 2009.

Additional resources about Generation Y trends
ï Video – interview with Jenny Floren on the impact of Gen Y on the workforce and the outlook for the Class of 2009
ï White paper – a deeper explanation of these five Gen Y trends