Do These 3 Things to Attract Top Millennial Employees

Talent and evolving technology are changing the workplace every day, most recently driven by the influx of millennials into the workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, millennials recently surpassed baby boomers as the largest living generation in the United States with 75.4 million people making up this cohort. This generation also dominates the workplace—more than 30 percent of American workers today are millennials, and currently there are more millennials in the workplace than Gen Xers. 

Forward-thinking business leaders know in order to keep their company growing and thriving, they need to hire the best of the best. But attracting and retaining top millennial employees may mean rethinking your talent acquisition strategies. Here are three things we’ve discovered helps attract top millennial talent.

1. Virtual Workspaces

The “virtual” workplace doesn’t have to be as scary or high-tech as it may sound. Workers today simply want the flexibility and technology to be able to work off-site but with the same capabilities as on-site teams. A well-established virtual workplace gives people the ability to easily and effectively set up a virtual office with the appropriate technology and connectivity that allow them to do their jobs best.

One of the simplest ways to achieve this is by issuing laptops or cell phones rather than desktops and in-office wired phone extensions to allow employees to be mobile. Next, ensure you have IT rules in place for remote connectivity for virtual meetings and online messaging.

2. Flexible Hours

According to a new study by Bentley University, 77 percent of millennials say flexible work hours would make the workplace more productive for people their age.

For some millennials, “flexibility” might look like having the freedom to nap after lunch when the workday tends to drag and then working late at night if that’s when they’re more productive. If you’re just starting to consider incorporating flexible work arrangements into your organization, think about how you could make the transition.

For example, you could offer various “shifts” to allow employees to choose if they want to start their workday earlier like 7 a.m. versus later around 10 a.m. Or you may consider banning designated shifts altogether and allow workers to work at
the times that suit them best. This kind of arrangement means management will need to shift how they measure and value performance and start focusing on output rather than when work is being done.

3. Collaborative and Comfortable Environments

A culture of collaboration is one of the primary things millennials seek from an employer, and the design of your workplace should facilitate that. This generation expects to use technology to connect with colleagues to build deeper and more globalized connections.

To encourage connectivity, businesses can create open office spaces that drive collaboration, discussion and ideation. These spaces should also incorporate technology that allows off-site employees to collaborate and remain in touch with on-site teams.

With the growing domination of millennials in the workplace, you want to make sure you’re attracting the best of the best to drive your business forward. Keeping these factors in mind will ensure your employer brand and organization align with the things that matter to millennials most.

Editor’s Note: This post was previously published on Inc.com and has been republished here with permission.