If ever there was a generation redefining the workplace, it’s the millennials. Born in the 1980s and 90s, millennials are also known as generation Y, and often have a strong sense of who they are and what they want out of life. For employers, it’s pivotal to understand what millennials want in a job, since they currently form the largest segment of the U.S. workforce.
Learn what millennials want in a job in six fast facts:
1. Many want work-life balance.
Perhaps the biggest motivating factor for millennials in deciding whether to apply for a job or not is if it is flexible. Many millennials don’t want to clock in to an office for eight hours a day, and face a crushing commute on their way to and from work. Instead, a lot of them prefer to have work and life be as cohesive as possible, which means having flexible work options. If your company already has a flexible work policy, by all means, tout it to the world! And if your business is still on the fence about flex, there’s no better time than now to start looking at making some jobs remote in an effort to attract millennials.
2. Many want to collaborate.
You might think that since millennials often don’t want to work in a traditional workplace that they’re loners, but you’d be wrong. In fact, tons of millennials love to collaborate with their colleagues and managers, so it’s important for employers to facilitate that connection. Offering a wide variety of collaboration tools is integral to success, not just for any remote team, but also for attracting millennials to your company.
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3. Many want meaning in their work.
In most cases, millennials aren’t just looking to earn a paycheck—they want their work to impact the world in a positive way. But since not all jobs are of the Superman-saves-the-world variety, employers need to show how their jobs tie in to the greater picture. It could be that the person’s accounting job allows the company to have a better idea of how much they can contribute to their charity.
Making their work meaningful (and showing how meaningful it is to both you and the company) is a great way to recruit millennials to any position for which you’re hiring.
4. Many want stability.
Having watched their parents work tirelessly for years—only to be dumped by their jobs, in a lot of cases—many millennials have a certain fear of commitment when it comes to their jobs. While you might not find all millennials working for a company for decades on end, they do still value stability in their jobs.
While some are risk takers, millennials, for the most part, want to feel that they can set roots in a company, if they so choose.
5. Many want a mentor, not a micromanager.
While millennials can be respectful of the hierarchy in a company, some are also all about everyone playing nicely in the sandbox. That’s why they tend to work well with bosses who are less about being bossy and more about taking the time to nurture and bring out the best in them. Millennials often thrive when they feel that their work matters and are rewarded for their efforts.
6. Many want to develop their skills.
Going along with that feeling of collaboration, millennials often want someone who will invest in them, not just for the moment, but for the long haul. They tend to value companies that will make an investment in them (i.e., pay for continuing education or allow them to attend classes and webinars) to help them be the best possible worker (and person) they can be.
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