How to Get Millennials on Your Side

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If you’re a manager, you’ve probably read cautionary articles on the high number of millennials entering the workforce, filled with content about how their supposedly rebellious personalities will change the dynamics of your workplace making it impossible to keep them in check. It’s time for a change in perspective. 

Although millennials will undoubtedly create some challenges, they also have a lot of benefits to offer. That means you shouldn’t avoid hiring them, and more importantly, must take steps to let them know you value their contributions.

Remember the Importance of Online Recruiting

Whereas people from older generations often flocked to employment fairs and sometimes signed up with employment agencies, millennials are more likely to rely on the Internet to perform at least part of their job searches. That’s why it’s crucial to make sure your website reflects a company culture that’s attractive to younger workers.

Showcase your company’s personality so you’re not just seen as a boring, faceless organization. Making your website easy to navigate and mobile-friendly are two other important considerations. 

Be Active on Social Media

A study of more than 1,800 human resources professionals found although 93 percent of recruiters rely on social media to find talent, 82 percent admitted their social media skill level to be merely proficient or worse. If you’re reluctant to stay active on social media or have uncertainties about how to navigate different networks effectively, you might want to hire someone who’s well versed in social media best practices.

If millennials feel your social media efforts are less than genuine, attempts to reach out to them may backfire. Authenticity is crucial for recruiting worthy millennials and making them want to stick around after being hired. 

Encourage Collaboration

Millennials generally don’t like being placed in cubicle environments or staying secluded from coworkers during their shifts. Arrange the workplace so it’s as open as possible. Getting rid of unnecessary walls that could create communication barriers is a start. You might also go further and create collaborative spaces in break rooms and meeting areas.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that since millennials value collaboration, they don’t appreciate private spaces. Create areas where your millennial team members can go to get completely focused when necessary.

Offer Ways to Give Back

Many people have a misconception that millennials feel and only care about themselves. However, research shows 78 percent of millennials are donating to causes that matter to them without being prompted. 

They may not love the idea of simply agreeing to have percentages taken out of their paychecks to support charitable causes, but you can offer more proactive participation methods to show you understand their mindsets. 

Perhaps your company could be a sponsor for a major charity run in your town and you could urge people to create teams and sign up to take part. The holiday season is another great opportunity to help others, especially through wrapped gift programs for the less fortunate. 

Offer Employment Perks They Actually Want

Recruiting and retaining workers from the millennial generation usually involves making it clear with your company provides advantages that are truly worthwhile. Examples include internal and external opportunities for continual education, and catered lunches that encourage people to mingle with peers while chowing down on free food. 

Showing millennials that you’re exploring what makes them tick doesn’t have to feel like a battle. The tips above can demonstrate you care about attracting them to your team and making them feel like worthwhile contributors.

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Sarah Landrum is the founder of Punched Clocks, a site dedicated to sharing advice on all things career. Follow her on Twitter @SarahLandrum for more great tips.