Last updated : December 16, 2024
Focusing on millennials is a smart business move because they will be the overwhelming majority in the workforce over the coming years. Businesses that depend on attracting top talent in order to beat out competition will need to use one of these seven methods to win over the best millennials.
Consider relocating your office
Many businesses have chosen to relocate in order to appeal to the best millennial talent. Millennials are much more likely than past generations to make employment decisions based on location. This doesn’t mean that relocation is always the best option, but it may be the best option for all businesses, if there is no reason why you should be tied to a particular locale, it may make sense to relocate your headquarters to a more exciting city. Choose a city that has a reputation for having many things to do. An office close to the beach is often very appealing to millennials.
Clarify the purpose of your business
Make the purpose of your business crystal clear. A good percentage of workers have claimed that they do not even know what their mission statement is. Help your employees understand where they stand in the world by working for your company. Be loud and clear about your mission statement and you will attract the type of employees who are enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. Employees should be reminded of the company’s mission statement both during an initial orientation and during regular company meetings. It is also helpful to state your company goals on your business’s job description.
Focus on making the world a better place
Tie your employee’s job into making the world a better place. One of the most common priorities that millenials list is that of improving the world. If your business is involved in a charity or if there is a way in which your business operations benefit the world, explain this thoroughly to all your employees, especially millenials. Consider having millenial employees suggest ways in which your company can participate in charities. One of the advantages companies have is that they have the manpower to get tangible things done. Communicate with local charities and find out if there is any local cause that your business can lend manpower to. Make sure that it is clear what company your workers are from when performing charitable work in order to cultivate good will toward the company.
Make applications and resume submission more interactive
Make the application process more interactive. Most job application processes involve filling out a series of forms. A growing number of companies are moving their applications and resume submission systems online. In addition to forms, have your applicants ask questions and demonstrate how they would respond to scenarios in order to demonstrate the ability of your employees to solve common business problems.
Weed out potentially problematic employees
Do not focus simply on experience, but also on a candidate’s ability and willingness to learn. While millennials will inevitably not have as much job experience, those who are willing to learn quickly will make up for any deficits in their experience. Look for signs that your candidate is eager to acquire new skills and more education. While some employees will become complacent and willing to perform the same work everyday, there are some employees who have a hunger to constantly diversify their skills.
Another way to weed out problematic employees is by performing drug tests. There is evidence that millennials are using drugs and alcohol less frequently than previous generations. However, they are more likely to abuse pain killers than previous generations. Performing a drug test at some point in the hiring process can help weed out employees who would have behavioral problems and job performance concerns.
Provide a clear road map for your employees’ career
Clarify the road map that the candidate will be on to advance his or her career. Millennials like to know where they stand with a company and where they can improve. Also, pay close attention to the personal goals of your employees and find ways in which your company’s goals can be in sync with the goals of your millennial employees. For example, if you have an employee who is motivated to go back to school, find a way in which your company can justify having your employee earn a specific type of degree.
Offer more scheduling flexibility
One of the most common job perks that employees want is job flexibility. For industries where there can often be more flexibility, such as coding and life sciences, provide your employees with flex hours and give them input into when they are required to be at work. One approach that some companies have used is to introduce flex hours. This is when employees are given a set number of hours in which they can work as many or as few hours as they want. Another way to make your company more flexible is to allow for your employees to work some of their hours from home by taking their work home with them.
The great thing about working with millenials is that there are no requirements regarding what strategies you use. Each of these approaches are a suggestion and different businesses will have different strategies they are able to realistically use. However, by understanding what millenials usually want, it will be much easier to attract the best millenial talent.
