OPM wants to woo young workers. Can internet memes overcome Trump’s cuts to the civil service?
An agency spokeswoman said that a four-person communications team — all under the age of 30 — is spearheading the effort to make OPM’s social media more appealing to younger potential hires.
The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is taking a new approach to attract young workers to the federal civil service, despite facing challenges from recent cuts. By leveraging internet memes and social media, OPM aims to revamp its online presence and make it more appealing to a younger audience. This strategy is being led by a team of four communications professionals, all under the age of 30, who are tasked with creating engaging content that resonates with potential young hires.
This effort is significant, as the federal workforce has been aging, with many employees nearing retirement. The Trump administration's reforms have also led to a decline in the number of civil service employees. By targeting young workers, OPM hopes to inject new talent and ideas into the federal bureaucracy. The use of internet memes and social media is a nod to the changing ways that people consume information and interact with government agencies.
As OPM continues to implement its social media strategy, it's worth watching how effective it will be in attracting young workers. Will the use of memes and online content be enough to overcome the perception that the civil service is bureaucratic and slow-moving? Additionally, with the ongoing debate about the size and role of government, it's unclear what the future holds for the federal workforce. Personnel professionals and those interested in government reform will want to keep an eye on OPM's progress and the impact of its efforts on the federal hiring landscape.
Originally reported by govexec.com. PersonelNews adds analysis for government & civic readers.