Guest Post: Got Millennials?

You’ve just hired a bunch of new employees and you’re ready for them to jump in and get to work. You realize quickly that these new employees seem to work a bit differently than you’re used to, and you don’t quite understand why. Chances are, your new employees are mostly of the millennial generation, meaning they grew up in the new millennium and are typically between the ages of 18 and 32.

There’s a lot of talk about millennials today. This is probably because millennials just became the largest generation in the workforce, surpassing even the massive Boomer generation. As you hire them, it’s important to understand this generation and what they look for in a workplace so that you can be sure to hold on to the best ones for years to come. Read on for five quick tips you can implement right now:

1. Millennials want to learn and grow, constantly. Chances are your company is a stepping-stone in a millennial’s career path, unless you understand this mindset. Encourage them to learn each day – recommend online courses, send them to conventions, give them new responsibilities – and you might be able to keep them in the long(er) run.

2. Work-life balance is more important than ever. Yes, everyone would love to spend more time with their families. But research is showing lack of flexibility was cited among the top reasons millennials quit jobs. If possible, implement occasional mobile workdays, allow working from home, or even just recognize the need for some schedule freedom every now and then.

3. Give feedback in person. 51% of millennials prefer to communicate with colleagues in person rather than over email. Think twice next time you want to shoot them an email while you’re a few desks or offices away. This applies to regular feedback on working habits and progress – doing it in person makes us respect you even more. It helps us to feel like partners in the workplace.

4. Work with them. Millennials tend to be fundamentally against hierarchical structures. Make it clear that you want to work with them (as a colleague would), rather than a boss who tells them what to do. You’ll get better results and more innovative solutions this way, and communication will improve.

5. Get social. If your company isn’t on social media, get there. It’s easy, free, and absolutely crucial if you want millennials to stay engaged with you. Your millennial employees will notice – this will also allow them to post about how great your company is and how much they like working there … it’s a win-win!

There are many more ways you can attract the best millennials to your company, and actually keep them there. For more tips and advice, check out my book “How to Attract Millennials to Your Company…And Actually Keep Us!” on Amazon. 

Caitlin Crommett is a recently published author and speaker who shares her knowledge on the millennial generation and how to better work with them as employees in both for-profit and nonprofit spheres.

When she was 15 years old, she started a nonprofit foundation called DreamCatchers, dedicated to fulfilling the final dreams of hospice patients. The DreamCatchers chapters are run by high school and college-age students, with the goal of bridging generational gaps at the same time. Through this experience, Caitlin has worked with many high-achieving millennials, and have seen what it takes to keep them engaged, working hard, and working for you for a long time. Read more on her website.