With their natural talent for social media, technology, and creativity millennials are some of the most ambitious employees in the workforce. They are entrepreneurial in spirit and ready for success — traits that make them ideal candidates for any business.
To attract the next generation of employees, business owners and managers should look beyond the obvious perks to more resourceful and original benefits. Continue on to understand why you should hire young talent and how to appeal to them.
Valuable Traits of Young Professionals
1. Digital Smarts
Being the first generation to be raised alongside the Internet and other high-tech advancements, millennials are digital natives. They are in tune with a majority of social media platforms and many can edit a website with ease. Gen Yers could act as brand ambassadors for your business and further expand your online presence.
Additionally, their inherent understanding of technology gives them an edge over those who may not be as accustomed with countless social media channels and computer programs. These young minds can ensure that your business maximizes the latest tech to better marketability, productivity, and efficiency.
2. Fresh Point of View
Millennials grew up in a world of rapid change and instant information. They often search new solutions to old problems and can bring fresh ideas into the workplace. If you hire young talent, you will take on an employee who knows how to adapt to a wide variety of situations. Welcoming the next generation can provide your business an invigorating perspective, encouraging growth mindset and innovation.
3. Highly Educated
As possibly the best-educated generation to enter the workforce, millennials can provide far more to your business than just a proficiency for social media. Many young professionals have university degrees, certifications and advanced training, which makes them some of the most qualified employees in the market. This level of skill can be utilized for good use for your company, as millennials have proven they are willing to grow and learn.
How to Attract Millennials
As more young people enter the workforce, it’s vital for companies to engage with this age group and extend competitive advantages. Here are some suggested work benefits that will make millennials consider your next job offer.
1. Student Loan Aid
Considering the average graduate is joining the job market with more than $40,000 in student loan debt, it is no surprise that repayment assistance is an attractive benefit. For many young employees, paying off an undergraduate degree is a priority. Adopting this useful and unique workplace benefit is highly sought-after and will likely set you apart from competitors.
2. In-Office Wellness
Millennials have a deeper understanding of their well-being and mental health than their predecessors. They aim to keep themselves psychologically, emotionally and physically fit. This means a company that provides holistic wellness programs such as free gym memberships, yoga, dietary consultations and stress management may be more appealing. Providing discounted or free healthy snacks throughout the workday is another plus with the younger crowd.
3. Flexible Work
More than earlier generations, millennials desire a healthy work-life balance. Some even see no reason to be in the office everyday if they can be just as productive from home. For this reason, many of them are specifically search for remote work options that allow them to balance work and personal schedules more efficiently.
Offering this perk could even increase retention among your young employees. It also conveys trust and confidence that young professionals value.
4. Learning and Career Development
Many millennials are still in the early stages of their careers. They want to grow and learn as much as possible, which is why training and development is another top priority when searching for a new job.
By providing career development initiatives, you could attract the most ambitious, hard-working professionals to join your company. Promoting a culture of learning also incites a sense of purpose for the next generation, which could help inspire them and push your establishment further.
Implementing unique work benefits could better your appeal to the beliefs and attitudes of this talented group of employees. For more information on creative benefits guaranteed to attract millennials, see the accompanying infographic.
Infographic provided by The Jacobson Group