One of the biggest decisions you need to make as a business owner is who to hire on your team. Do you prefer age diversity in the workplace, only senior employees or millennials?
The only way you can make the right decision is by doing your research and be sure about what can every generation bring to your company. Therefore, let’s start with the pros of hiring millennials.
Millennials, with their natural aptitude for technology, social media, and creativity, millennials are some of the most ambitious employees in the workforce. The key benefits of hiring millennials should be – they are self-starters, entrepreneurial in spirit, and hungry for success. These are traits that make them ideal candidates for any small businesses.
To get the most out of hiring millennials, business owners should think beyond the obvious perks to more original and resourceful benefits.
10 proven pros of hiring millennials
Well, you probably heard so many bad things about hiring millennials. But actually, most of these stories were probably exaggerated or were a result of major generational differences in the workplace. Trust us, there are worse hiring mistakes you could do than hiring younger talent.
And even if you really want to avoid millennials, soon you’ll be left with no talent pool because the Baby boomers are all retired, and Generation X will soon be too.
Millennials are very sensitive to social issues
Employing millennials can benefit a company’s public image. Millennials tend to be socially conscious and will voice concerns if they feel a company project or marketing campaign might offend or exclude certain groups.
By listening to millennial employees and considering their perspectives on inclusiveness early on, companies can make internal adjustments to campaigns and other initiatives. Since they will speak up their minds if your project or your marketing campaign is offending one sector of the community, you can already edit it out internally so once you put out the project or the campaign, it will be well-loved by the whole community.
Millennials work for the company’s purpose
This is the main difference between hiring millennials versus other generations. As most millennials are doing side jobs that are able to support them well, they choose a day job that well reflects their stand in social and political issues.
Millennials usually work in companies that have a mission geared towards helping the needy, companies that help in environmental conservation, or companies that have a proven track record in their corporate social responsibility.
They believe that their generation can save the dying world created by the generations before them so they make sure to contribute positively to society. Hence, hiring millennials can save you a lot of money and reinforce your company’s positive impact on society and the environment. Not hiring them would create a big void in your company.
They are flexible and can easily adapt
Another reason why hiring millennials is a good idea is that they’re good at seeing the bigger picture. And that encourages them to be flexible and adapt.
Millennials have grown up in an era of constant change. This unpredictable environment has taught them how to adapt easily. That’s why they’re not afraid to change jobs if they see no growth, which is often mistaken with impermanence.
They offer creative solutions
Millennials’ lack of traditional experience and knowledge can be an asset in driving workplace innovation. Without decades-long careers to shape their perspectives, millennials offer fresh, creative takes on processes, products, and functions. Their fluency with digital tools and technologies further enables them to put forward innovative ideas and solutions naturally. Companies can leverage millennials’ out-of-the-box thinking and technological prowess to reimagine workplace norms.
They are cost-friendly
Hiring millennials is also cost-friendly because they are mostly new entrants in the job market and have little experience compared to the earlier generation. Therefore, since experience is one factor used to bargain for one’s salary, possessing little of it means a low starting remuneration.
In addition, because they are pursuing work experience to improve their resumes, you will get employees who are dedicated to their work and will give their best to bring value to the company.
But most importantly, since you hired them in the beginning, you must keep an eye on their progress. Appreciating their dedication and recognizing their progress is crucial to make sure you keep them in your company.
Hence, if the main reason you hired millennials is that they were cost-friendly, but their work helped your company to grow, you should definitely put the cost-friendly reason aside, and do your best to pay your employees the salary they truly deserve.
Millennials are motivated
Maybe the most important advantage of hiring millennials is that they’re good at seeing the bigger picture. And that encourages them to be flexible and adapt.
Millennials have grown up in an era of constant change. This unpredictable environment has taught them how to adapt easily. That’s why they’re not afraid to change jobs if they see no growth, which is often mistaken with impermanence.
They are fun to work with
They are energetic, outspoken, and passionate about what they do. To think of it, the presence of millennials within your office will contribute immensely to the creation of a flexible, dynamic, and efficient culture within your company.
For millennials, the idea of bureaucratic hurdles and slow services simply doesn’t make sense. That’s why having Millenials within your workspace will make the workspace upbeat and dynamic across the board.
Millennials are risk-takers and go-getters as well
Whereas previous generations followed more traditional linear career advancement, millennials pursue professional goals on their own terms. This may be one of their biggest generational assets to contribute in a workplace. Hence they also are best in gauging chances and opportunities which is why they know if it’s a good risk or otherwise.
The biggest takeaway in hiring millennials is opening your door to a wide array of suggestions and exposing your brand to more innovative techniques especially in gaining attention. Millennials know what they want, but most importantly, they know how to acquire that too which sets them apart from other generations.
They are digitally savvy
As the first generation to be brought up with the Internet and other high-tech advancements, members of Gen Y are digital natives. They’re in tune with each social media platform and many can edit a webpage with ease.
Millennials could magnify your online presence and act as brand advocates for your company. Their innate understanding of technology gives them an advantage over those who may not be as familiar with various computer programs and social media channels.
These young professionals can ensure that your business maximizes the latest tech to increase productivity, marketability, and efficiency. This means that they know a lot of things that can simplify your workflow and make everyone’s lives easier.
They are highly educated
As the most highly educated generation in the workforce, millennials offer a sophisticated skill set for businesses to utilize. A majority possess college degrees, and many hold advanced qualifications through graduate studies and certifications.
With training costs for new hires averaging thousands per employee, millennials’ innate drive to actively upskill provides built-in value. Those that invest in nurturing millennials’ intellectual capital can reap rewards through forward-thinking contributions across critical business functions.
4 tips for hiring millennials
As more millennials enter the job market, it’s important for businesses to engage with this age group and extend competitive advantages. Here are some suggested benefits that will make the process of hiring millennials easier by making young professionals consider your next job offer.
Pay off their student loan
With the average graduate joining the workforce with more than $40,000 in student loan debt, it’s no surprise that repayment assistance is a hot benefit. Paying off an undergraduate degree is an immediate concern for many young professionals. Adopting this innovative employee perk is highly coveted and will likely set you apart from competitors.
Providing in-office wellness
Gen Yers have a deeper appreciation of their mental health and well-being than their predecessors. They want to keep themselves emotionally, psychologically, and physically fit.
This means a small business that offers holistic wellness initiatives such as yoga, free gym memberships, stress management, and dietary consultations may be more appealing. Offering free or discounted healthy snacks throughout the day is another hit with the younger crowd and it will also improve the wellbeing of employees at the workplace.
Offering them flexible work hours
More than previous generations, millennials want to establish a healthy work-life balance. In fact, many see no reason to be in the office five days a week if they can be just as productive from home. For this reason, young professionals are fans of remote work options that allow them to juggle personal and work schedules more efficiently.
Implementing this benefit could increase retention among millennial team members. It also conveys confidence and trust that young employees value.
Give them learning and career development opportunities
Most millennials are in the early stages of their careers. They want to learn and grow as much as possible, which is why if your goal is hiring millennials then you should offer training and development.
By implementing career development initiatives, you could attract the most ambitious professionals. A good example is offering international relocation, which gives Millennials an opportunity to enhance their skills, build their career and find unique and meaningful experiences in another country. Promoting a culture of learning also instils a sense of purpose for the younger generation, which may help motivate them and push your company forward.
Conclusion
The belief that hiring millennials is a bad idea is just another statement that proves that generalization is a massive problem in today’s world. The truth is, whether someone will be a good employee or not is very individual.
But, you can’t just have job interviews without preferences, so these facts are a good start to decide where should you look for new talents. Read them carefully and decide if these qualities are a good fit for your companies needs. If yes, then start looking for new employees among millennials, and if not, set your goals and locate which generation has them the most.
More must-read stories from Enterprise League:
- Motivating business role models to inspire your entrepreneurial spirit.
- The goal of every business: 13 ways to get more customers for any business.
- Getting your product in stores doesn’t have to be complicated.
- Creative and profitable outdoor business ideas you should be aware of.
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