Employees are your most valuable asset, and if you want your business to
thrive, you need to find and hire top talent. However, despite the different
channels that you can use to identify and get in touch with the right people
for the job, it can’t be denied that there are various challenges that you’ll
have to overcome during the process.
Given that millennials are currently the largest generation
in the labor force, it’s clear that you need to adjust
your recruitment process to appeal to them. Here are a few strategies that you
can incorporate into your current hiring process.
Create a Sense of
Purpose
Although this generation has been frequently maligned for their alleged
laziness and entitlement, making a social impact and having a sense of purpose
is very important to them. That’s why they’re attracted to companies and brands
which promote some kind of social awareness.
A job which puts food on the table is ok, but millennials want more than
that – they would like to contribute to your company’s growth with their skills
and expertise and it’s essential to show them how to do that.
A big, fat paycheck and cool perks won’t be the only reason why a
talented and hard-working millennial would find your job offer appealing, so
make sure to mention your company’s mission and values in your job description, as millennials want to find meaning in their work.
Personalize the
Experience
Personalization is all the rage in every industry, and millennials, who
expect their purchasing experience to be highly tailored and personalized, want
the same from the recruitment process.
You can see whether they’re the right fit for your company and win them
over by conducting the interview at the office where they would work. This will
allow them to get a test taste of what it is like to work for you and get a
glimpse of the work environment that they will potentially be a part of.
Ask them a lot of questions, and let them do the talking. Active
listening is essential for learning as much about them as possible. Plus, being
heard is something that they highly value, and it would send a positive vibe if
you give them the time of day and hear what they have to say.
Include Your Team
It’s a good idea to include your team in the recruitment process and
have them interview your candidates. First of all, they are the ones who will
be closely working with the new member of the team. Don’t forget that it’s them
who’ll mentor the new hire, show them the ropes, and train them until they’ve gotten
the hang of everything, so it’s important that they participate in the
selection process.
Besides that, this approach will show your current employees that you
value their opinion, and that’s something that will definitely present your
leadership in a positive light.
Needless to say, your millennial candidates will notice and appreciate
the way you treat your employees and that will undoubtedly appeal to them.
Offer them an
Opportunity to Build Their Personal Brand
Millennials are keen on personal growth, and they want a job that will
help them develop their professional skills and expertise.
According to a Gallup report, 59% of them mention opportunities to learn and grow as extremely important factors
when it comes to applying for a new job. This is why you need to let them know
that they won’t be stuck in a dead-end job if they decide to work for you. It’s
essential that they understand that they’ll have an opportunity to learn new
things and build their personal brand.
Get Creative With
Benefits
Essential perks are a must, which means that minimum healthcare, dental,
and retirement plans should be a regular part of your employee benefits
package.
As you know, tech giants like Google and Apple have earned their
reputation as the most desirable companies to work for with their generous
employee perks such as gyms, free snacks, and spa centers on campus.
Not many companies can afford such luxuries, but luckily, there are
other ways to attract millennial employees. For example, the stat saying that 78% of millennials are more likely to spend their money on a desirable experience instead
of a desirable thing speaks volumes about their mindset.
In other words, you don’t have to offer expensive material things if you
want to appeal to them – telecommuting and flexible hours could be just what
will make them happy. This flexibility which allows them to plan their schedule
and spend more quality time with their loved ones could mean more to them than
other perks.
It’s also a win-win for both parties because studies show that working from home positively affects productivity, which means your company will benefit
from this perk too.
Millennial employees might be demanding in terms of what they expect
from their job, but that’s actually good for your company because they’re ready
to commit and work towards your shared goals. That’s what your recruitment
process should reflect in order to attract and keep them.
It would be best to create an in-house
recruitment process that works for you and invest in an in-house
piece of software for that process. That way you’ll
have your applicants’ resumes and other important information in one place so
that you can study them and effectively personalize the recruitment experience.
