Millennials and Generation Z are the two generations that companies are most likely to target during the next five years, according to a LinkedIn survey of more than 2,400 US hiring managers. Generation X is the cohort most targeted for retention efforts, according to the survey.

Recruitment process outsourcing firms are reaping the benefits of a tight job market as more companies looking to hire ask RPOs to help them build their brands. RPOs also are expanding their use of recruiting technology to hire at all levels just like traditional recruiters.

BMW is using a chatbot called Sofia from Businessolver to answer employees' benefits questions. Since launching in August, Sofia has reviewed 1,130 cases and had nearly 8,000 conversations.

Learning in action is the focus of virtual-reality employee training for companies such as Fidelity Investments and Walmart. VR is now being deployed to address issues such as empathy, generational differences and customer support.

Give people time and space to process critical feedback or bad news, and be prepared for a range of potential emotions, writes Farrah Mitra, an executive coach and former HR leader. "Jumping to fix-it mode may feel intuitive, but it is actually a way of deflecting and leaning away from understanding," she writes.