How to Best Attract Gen Z and Millennial Applicants

The 2022 Gallup report How Millennials Want to Work and Live found that 71% of millennials are disengaged at work. Fifty-five percent are actively disengaged.

Disengagement is one of the reasons why millions of employees have been changing jobs during The Great Resignation. These employees are finding roles that better align with their values, goals, and interests.

Many of these job changers are Gen Z and Millennials. They cite increasing levels of job dissatisfaction as one of their main reasons to find new opportunities.

As an employer, you must find ways to attract Gen Z and Millennial employees to your job openings. Otherwise, these job seekers may decide to work elsewhere.

 

Implement these three methods to attract Gen Z and Millennial applicants to your company.

 

Provide Flexibility

Gen Z and Millennials want autonomy. The ability to fit in work around their personal lives is important.

Controlling their time lets Gen Z and Millennials handle their personal and professional responsibilities during the workday. This flexibility fulfills their desire for work-life balance.

Providing flexibility fulfills your employees’ wants and needs. This type of work environment attracts Gen Z and Millennials to your job openings.

Consider offering any of the following options:

  • Remote or hybrid work is especially beneficial for employees who have difficulty securing transportation to work, have physical limitations, or live significant distances from the office.
  • A compressed work week lets employees fulfill their contracted number of hours per week while having a day off.
  • Flextime lets employees work non-traditional hours while fulfilling their contracted number of hours each week.
  • Job-sharing provides part-time employment for two employees who complete the duties and responsibilities of one role.

 

Emphasize Technology

Gen Z and Millennials make up the majority of the workforce. Because they grew up with technology, they expect to be surrounded by it at work.

Emphasize your company’s use of the latest technology as part of your employee value proposition. This may include automating tasks, simplifying workflows, or providing instant access to information in a centralized database. This prioritization of technology attracts Gen Z and Millennials.

 

Prioritize Career Development

Gen Z and Millennials want to work for companies that offer opportunities for career advancement. This includes providing training to develop the skills required to move up in the organization.

Gen Z and Millennials strive to provide additional value for their employers. This lets these employees know their efforts have an increasing impact on companies.

Emphasize how managers work with their employees to develop customized career plans that align with employees’ goals. Include the types of opportunities that contribute to attaining these career goals. Examples include seminars, classes, mentorship, stretch assignments, and cross-training.

 

Need Help Attracting Gen Z and Millennials to Your Job Openings?

Peoplelink can provide the qualified candidates you need to fill your open roles. Get started today.

Understanding Employee Appreciation

Accounting for others’ personal needs helps people more effectively communicate. Authentic displays of appreciation increase employee retention rates. This is especially important as The Great Resignation continues.

Communicating appreciation based on what each employee values helps the message resonate with the individual. This encourages employees to remain engaged and productive. It also increases job satisfaction, employee morale, and the bottom line.

 

Discover ways to show employee appreciation and how using them can benefit your company.

 

 

Words of Affirmation

More than half of employees prefer written or spoken language to acknowledge their contributions and results.

  1. Find out whether each employee who prefers words of affirmation would like to hear them publicly or privately, in-person, through email or a communication platform, or in a handwritten note.
  2. Be sincere and specific when giving praise.
  3. Express appreciation in real-time so your employee links your words with their behavior.
  4. Use the SBI method: describe the situation, the appropriate behavior, and its impact on you, the team, or the company.

 

Quality Time

About a quarter of employees feel appreciated when they receive someone’s undivided attention.

  1. Encourage formal and informal mentorship among employees.
  2. Managers should regularly check in with their employees.
  3. At the end of team meetings, managers should ask whether anyone has anything else to discuss.
  4. Provide opportunities for employees to build relationships with coworkers and managers. This may include an onboarding lunch, team happy hour, or team-building activity.

 

Acts of Service

22% of employees prefer acts of service as a show of appreciation.

Managers should create processes that divide menial but important tasks, such as note-taking during meetings, among their employees so the team members help each other.

  1. Managers should encourage their employees to support each other in small ways. This may include bringing coffee or dinner for a teammate who is working longer hours.
  2. Encourage employees at all levels to regularly check in with their peers, direct reports, and manager, to see how they are doing and offer to help when needed.

 

Tangible Gifts

A small number of employees feel appreciated when receiving gifts based on their interests.

  1. Managers should understand how each of their employees enjoys spending their time and what their favorite treats are.
  2. Many employees prefer an additional paid day off to spend time with family and friends rather than a tangible gift.
  3. Provide gifts when employees reach project or employment milestones. Tie the gifts to the employee’s contributions or the team’s success. Show how the work benefits the organization.

 

Looking for Help Recruiting?

For thirty-five years, Peoplelink Group has been a cutting-edge leader in the staffing industry. We can provide you with innovative, effective business solutions, partnering with you to produce results that directly impact your bottom line. Contact us to learn more today.