Finding good employees isn’t as straightforward as many business owners wish it were. Still, there’s a large pool of young professionals ready to be found. According to the Pew Research Center, millennials are people born between 1981 and 1997; this means they were aged 21 to 37 in 2018. The millennial generation is quite different from their parents, having many qualities that make them very attractive to hire. Let’s explore why you should think about bringing millennials onto your team.
They’re Technologically Savvy
Millennials grew up during the advent of modern technology, and they seem to have an inherent understanding of the software and applications today’s businesses need to excel. You can’t compete in the modern business landscape without promoting your company through technological avenues and mediums. Young professionals grew up using the internet through a variety of portable devices, and they understand social media and the ways to leverage this tool properly. Gen Y-ers and Gen Z-ers can help your company uncover and utilize the most advanced technologies, and they can even teach you how to use new tools like social media and content management systems to your advantage.
A Well-Educated Generation
According to Pew Research, millennials are on track to be the most educated generation to date. Four out of ten millennial workers between the ages of 25 and 29 had acquired at least a bachelor’s degree in 2016—that sits right around 40 percent. Compare that to the 32 percent of Generation X workers just a decade before.
They Bring In New Ideas
Millennials bring fresh perspective to your business. Because this generation has come of age in a rapidly changing business and cultural landscape, they’ll be guaranteed to offer new thoughts on how you might be able to catapult your efforts. They may be able to provide unique understanding of your target demographic’s needs and buying habits, making them an invaluable asset to your team. Change can be an effective business strategy in itself, and ultimately, younger generations are going to provide insight into the ways your company must shift to remain competitive.
Starting Salary is Less
Highly-qualified job candidates are likely those with years of experience; while these individuals bring may bring a wider breadth of knowledge, they also come with a hefty price tag. Hiring young employees on Indeed.com means finding candidates fresh out of undergrad or grad school—candidates that require only a starting salary. In addition, compensation isn’t top priority for this facet of the population. According to a 2009 survey, 37 percent of employers report that “work/life balance and flexibility” is the most motivating factor for Generation Y.
Millennials are Driven
Recent research has shown that over half of Millennials place emphasis on career progression; young professionals in this generation are more attracted to careers where there’s room for advancement, and positions that offer them more responsibility. Because they’re deeply invested in excelling; you may find that millennials will give their all in your company.
They’re Great at Collaboration
Millennials are the “We” generation. These young professionals have proven to be loyal to people, not companies. They appreciate mentorship and experience, not power-hungry management. These qualities make Generation Y focused on (and fantastic at) collaboration.
This Population Saturates the Workforce
Final reason to hire a millennial? You have little choice. Millennials have flooded the workforce, meaning you’ll likely be seeing an influx of millennial applications for any position that opens up. Generation Y will soon dominate the professional sector; with so many job-seeking individuals in the marketplace, your business will be well-poised to pick the cream of the crop. Make sure as these applications flood in, you’re doing your due diligence to screen them properly. ShareAble for Hires, a new employment background check service, can be completed online—ideal for the constantly-connected millennial job candidate. Services like these can paint a picture of a candidate’s past, including financial reports, criminal history, and other pertinent information that can help you make a better hiring decision.
Hiring from the massive pool of millennial candidates could mean great things for your business this year and in years to come. Consider the ways hiring a Millennial could impact your productivity and ultimately improve your bottom line.