Three ways to attract millennials to your business – and retain them
By millennials, we mean people born between 1980 and 1995. Millennials are now aged 25 to 40, and are the largest age group in our companies. They are also the group most employers and companies are looking for.
If you want to get better at recruiting and retaining millennials to your business, there are a few methods you can start using. However, please note that these are only generalisations and don’t necessarily represent the entire truth about any generation or age group. Everyone is different, but we’re all shaped by the period in which we grew up. For example, there’s a reason why baby boomers (those born 1940-1960) prefer to phone a customer service team, why millennials prefer to send an email and why generation Z prefers to use a chat feature.
Method #1: Customise your communication
Different generations prefer different ways of communicating. When reaching out to millennials, it’s important to remember that they don’t work like today's 50 to 60 year olds, so they prefer not to receive a phone call as an initial contact. Millennials often block unknown numbers and prefer to do their own research before contacting a company.
It’s also important to remember that millennials spend a large amount of their waking hours on their mobiles. In other words, placing advertisements in newspapers or on TV isn’t the best use of your resources. Don't underestimate how much millennials use social networks to find jobs. You probably already have a Facebook page, so you can start by announcing that you’re looking for new employees there.
Top tips:
- Use video or other multimedia to show who you are as a company.
- Use social media. Millennials use YouTube and Instagram. Be active on these channels. There are many other advantages in using these channels. Many of your customers are probably also millennials, and it has been proven that good content on YouTube creates strong engagement.
- Be transparent. Millennials prefer transparent, straightforward communication.
Method #2: Offer opportunities for development
Millennials attach great importance to constantly being able to learn. In fact, the main factor that millennials consider when starting a new job is whether the company offers good training prospects. One reason for this is that they want to work with a company that invests in them. This is often a win-win situation. Millennials are quite volatile when it comes to employment. They prefer to change jobs much more often than previous generations. Creating loyalty by showing that you are willing to invest in their development can be a deciding factor when it comes to retaining your best talent.
Top tips:
- Offer training via training platforms. Millennials prefer systems where they can learn a little at a time over a long period instead of undergoing an intensive 3-day course.
- Consider implementing a system that uses gamification.
Method #3: Have a clear identity
Money isn’t the most important thing for millennials, at least not when compared to previous generations. If you offer more money than your competitors but your competitors are known for their environmental awareness, there’s a real risk that your potential new employees will choose your competitors.
Millennials have grown up in a time when their lives have always been public, which has made their profile and reputation more important to them than previous generations. If something doesn't look good, millennials may well avoid it. If you have a reputation for being reactionary or not environment friendly, this will reduce your chances of attracting millennials.
There are different ways a company can have a clear image. Not all millennials appreciate the same things, but most of them appreciate working for a company that has a clear position.
Top tips:
- Invest in sustainability. Millennials like companies that show they take responsibility for the environment.
- Invest in innovation. Millennials also like companies at the forefront of their industry.
- Invest in technology. Workplaces that are technically advanced find it easier to attract millennials.
Invest in recruiting and retaining your best talents before anyone else does.
The job market is changing every day and now is probably the time for your company to make changes so you can attract the best talent. Hopefully, the methods and tips we've given you in this post will help you invest more in your most important resource – your employees. Feel free to contact us to talk more about your recruitment strategy.