The workforce is comprised of multiple generations, each with unique needs and preferences. Traditionalists, baby boomers, generation X, millennials, and now generation Z are all generations that are actively working in the present day. After coming of age during the economic anxieties of the Great Recession and in the aftermath of 9/11, millennials have preferences and opinions that differ greatly from preceding generations.

According to a national research study by Ultimate Software and The Center for Generational Kinetics, millennials have a unique approach to how they apply for work, engage the interview process, and decide whether to stick with current jobs.

The study shoes that millennials are 48% more likely than previous generations to find their first employment through an online jobs search. Millennials also approach the job interview process differently, with 30% thinking it’s okay to arrive late to the meeting by five minutes or more and one-third feeling that it’s acceptable to text during the consultation. When deciding whether to leave a job, millennials can be spontaneous with nearly half of saying they would call it a day if they didn’t quickly perceive a career path at a company and more than one-third saying they would quit on the spot if the employer asked them to delete their Facebook page.

Armed with the insights of this study, hopefully employers will be better prepared to recruit, onboard and retain these bright new individuals.

To learn more, you can also access the full research results here.