About 75% of the total workforce will be made up of millennials in 2025. Millennials are the future of the workforce and particularly, the tech workforce. The culture change in tech companies has been huge since this generation of people has begun to emerge into the industry.
Many tech companies struggle to adapt to this culture change to either keep or attract more millennials to their organization. Tech companies need to understand how their decisions can influence the next generation’s interest in joining the technology industry.
So, what can you do to attract this section of the workforce to your company?
Be flexible with work hours and offer a good work-life balance.
One way to attract millennials is to provide flexible work hours. Tech recruiters understand that millennials are more likely to join companies that offer them the opportunity to work and give them time to do other activities that they may find interesting.
In general, millennials are more attracted to join companies if the job offers a good work-life balance. Many companies are now offering entirely remote positions, allowing their employees to travel and giving that elusive “Digital Nomad” lifestyle without the risk of being freelance. This is an extremely attractive prospect for many people, especially those in their 20s and 30s.
Create a diverse company culture that accepts different lifestyles
Most millennials are more attracted to companies that give them the chance to express themselves with fewer restrictions. Managers should create a more open environment that accommodates different cultural diversity and lifestyles. Avoid being stereotypical and allow employees to explore their potentials in a more welcoming environment.
Offer career development and learning
Millennials care about their future and like to stay in companies where they have clear-cut career prospects. If you want to attract millennials to your company, let them know how to develop their careers and improve their skills while working in your organization.
Show them the big picture, expose them to new research in the tech world, and offer cutting-edge training. Create a comfortable and friendly learning atmosphere so they can see their future in your company. Generally, the mindset is that if you invest in them, they’ll invest in you.
Give your employees the chance to come with their pets, provided it won’t disrupt their work.
As mentioned earlier, millennials love their freedom even if they may be working in an office environment. So one option to boost staff morale in the office is to allow your employees to bring their pets in, provided they do not disrupt company activities.
The presence of one’s pets offers a homely feeling and can help reduce anxiety and stress when working. Although this may seem unorthodox in a corporate world, it’s becoming more and more common, and it seems, on the whole, people like the idea of pets in the office.
Show support for social issues.
Having a voice and speaking out on social issues and injustices, particularly for the less fortunate, is not just a millennial trait. Still, it certainly seems to be popular amongst this age group. Having strong company policies around social issues, showing support for current social issues, and encouraging activism are all positive ways for companies to support their staff and give back to the wider community.
Assist with the repayment of student loans
A relatively new way of attracting next-gen talent to your organization is to assist them in the repayment of student loans. This could be paying off a chunk of the entire loan if the employee stays for, say, two years. This is a great way to encourage employees to stay with your company and also helps to alleviate the stress of having significant loans and debts as they move forward. It’s a win-win.
Consider offering them the option of shares, either bought or given.
It’s human nature to be more invested in an idea, project, or company if one is more involved and stands to benefit from its success. Offering a stake in the company through shares gives employees the feeling of being valued deeper than purely for their time. It’s been shown that commitment levels increase when employees have shares in the company they work for, which can translate into higher productivity.
Nothing is more powerful than word of mouth in marketing. Make your company attractive with good prospects, and your employees are more likely to talk about it, meaning more referrals for you and even more top talent wanting to work with you.
Consider your company’s sustainability and eco-friendly practices
As a tech company, you should be concerned about your company’s sustainability and eco-friendly credentials. There’s plenty of data out there looking at how un-planet-friendly tech companies can be, so don’t be one of them.
Ensure you have practical and effective sustainability strategies that make sense and are future-proofed. All employees want to see their future in your establishment, and it’s been shown they want that future to be green. So, create and implement eco-friendly policies that build your employees’ confidence in your resolve to fight global warming and other environmental issues.
Offer job security
If you want to attract the next level of talent to your tech company, you should offer job security. Everyone wants to work at a place where they know their job is secure. Showing your company successes and stability is great, and job security is enhanced by implementing employee involvement and growth strategies such as competitive salaries, health insurance, managers’ respect, and more.
Mobile-oriented learning environment
Millennials are the natives of modern mobile technologies and the digital era. They spend more time on their mobile phones, which has become an extension of themselves. Video, podcasts, webinars, and interactive sessions are the norm for the generation, and employers should incorporate mobile digital technology when carrying out training. For example, instead of using boring pdf manuals and dull slide decks, try using short video snippets or youtube learning videos along with interactive tools for a more engaged workforce.
Conclusion
All employees should feel a sense of purpose and direction in their day-to-day jobs. Generally speaking, purpose, direction, and satisfaction with your work lead to a high sense of job fulfillment and happiness.
Millennials are the future of much of the workforce, not just tech companies. However, research shows this age group will make up a vast proportion of the tech workforce over the next few years, so creating a friendly working environment with a good developmental and sustainability plan will help attract and retain this talent.
Upstack gives you the ability to search the perfect software dev for your project by skill, location, experience level and more. Contact us!
Originally published at Upstack.co on Nov 24, 2021, by Joanna Blomfield.
