Millennials, or the Y Generation, is now the largest generation in America. Businesses everywhere are trying to find different ways to attract them to their workforce. However, the methods used to attract millennials is very different from that of baby boomers and other generations. Millennials have different needs and priorities when it comes to employment. The same approach used to attract boomers and Gen Xers won’t work with this audience. Hence, many employers struggle to acquire and keep talented millennials in their company.

Are you having the same struggles as well? Let’s turn that around.

As a fellow millennial, I’m here to help you understand how to acquire talented Y-gens for your workplace. Here are 3 core traits that you should adopt if you’re looking to attract and retain millennials for your business.

Create an Excellent Work-Life Balance Culture

Millennials want to work for a company that maintains a healthy work-life balance. They want time for activities outside of the workplace. Hence, your company’s culture is crucial in attracting Y-Gens. Your workplace culture should promote your employees to have commitments beyond their jobs and to fulfill their personal goals.

How can you promote that type of culture?

Proper compensation can definitely help promote a work-life balance, especially employee benefits. Providing parental/maternal leave, paid vacations, flexible schedules, or the ability to work from home are just a few of many job perks that will promote a healthy work-life culture. These benefits motivate your workers to pursue hobbies and interests in their personal lives. Furthermore, it shows that you care about the well-being of your employees. Quality job perks like these will attract more millennials to your workplace as it coincides with their need to have a life outside of work.

Small business: communication, management, career growth
Invest in the Growth of Your Employees

Along with your company’s culture, you need to think about the various ways in investing in your employees’ future. Save your money on those ping pong tables, shuffleboard tables, or entertainment system. Instead, you should try to expand their intelligence, so they can learn more about their chosen career. Simple perks like educational workshops or financial wellness programs show you care for the future well-being of your employees.

Not sure where to start? Here are a couple of ideas you should consider.

Start paying for classes or events that relate to your workers’ careers. Not only will this attract millennials, but it will improve employee productivity and business loyalty as well. Your millennial workers will understand the amount of care you have for their overall well-being, which will improve your business culture and give your workers an incentive to stay with your company.

Properly Manage Your Employees with Quality Communication

Whether you’re a small or large business owner, you need to properly manage your organization for it to succeed. Management is essential in keeping your employees happy and productive. Therefore, you need to ensure that your business has an open line of communication with your workers. Lower-tiered employees must feel comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas with upper management.

But that’s not all.

Employers have to recognize and appreciate the work of their millennial employees. A simple “good job” can go a long way for millennials including improved confidence and performance. Take it a step further and have one-on-one performance reviews or monthly achievement awards. Both options will help make millennials feel comfortable and appreciated working for your business. Everyone wants acknowledgement for their hard work, especially millennials. They crave to be recognized, so that’s exactly what your business should do.

With a healthy work-life balance, investing in your employees’ growth, and proper communication, millennials will be running towards your business in no time. Many employers believe millennials want pool tables, gaming stations, or other unique job perks; however, this generation isn’t as childish as many people believe. Stand out from your competitors and give millennials something they truly want in a job.

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