Giving Compass' Take:

• The author explains how employee volunteers and volunteerism at companies can help attract more candidates. 

• Will more companies change their employee volunteer initiatives to match the new values of the millennial workforce?

• Read about Starbucks' employee volunteer initiative.

Some companies view volunteerism as a need to satisfy employee engagement objectives. But on the other end of the spectrum, many understand the essence of volunteerism as a selfless way to serve one’s community.

Regardless of an individual’s perspective, what’s virtually undisputed is the notion that job seekers pursue employment opportunities with companies that prove to be socially responsible. And with millennials making up the largest generation in the U. S. workforce, it’s no wonder corporate social responsibility (CSR) has taken center stage with human resources strategists.

Attracting talent as a result of CSR efforts is a nice consequence, but a passive strategy is just that… passive. You shouldn’t leave your intentions to chance. There’s a more proactive way to recruit talent — and it starts with engaging your employees in volunteerism.

  • Understand societal issues.
  • Develop the community members you’re recruiting for talent.
  • Connect with nonprofits that offer job readiness programs.
  • Offer interview etiquette and résumé workshops with experiential learning.
  • Add value to your company, the community, and your industry.
  • Close the loop between volunteerism and talent acquisition.

Read the full article about employee volunteers by Jerome Tennille at VolunteerMatch.