Employing Millennials: A Generation Rising

2025 will mark the year the millennials take over the job market. In the next ten years, they will grow to a robust 75% of the American workforce.

Born between 1982 and 1993, the millennial population, or Generation Y, encompasses a population of about 77 million. That’s more than the baby boomers and three times the size of the generation X population.

If you’re an employer, you should be paying attention. It’s likely that traditionally structured businesses will need to make some changes to their workforce environment in order to attract and retain this young talent.

So, how will millennial employees change the world of work, as we know it today?

This is the first generation that has grown up in the digital era; this unprecedented access to technology has changed an entire population. The immediacy of our digital connectedness has spawned a generation of quick-thinking, social-media-focused, technology-savvy workers that your business can capitalize on.

Millennials can also be characterized as extreme multi-taskers. Whether this will have a positive or negative impact on the business world remains to be seen. The positive effects are that the best of these bright employees can get a lot done simultaneously under tight deadlines. They can quickly grasp the latest app-driven software.

The energy and adaptability that hiring millennials can bring to a company could be a tremendous breath of fresh air for an older workforce. Their motivation is infectious; hiring millennials can affect a cultural shift, bringing new ideas and innovation to an older workforce. Millennials have likely been working as part of project teams since high school, and this engaging approach to collaboration can be very beneficial to any business.

“Why are we here?” is the question pondered by the millennial generation. A Forbes article stated 64% believe making the world better is a high priority. Businesses that create a sense of mission and purpose will do well at attracting these workers.

Millennials also learn a little differently from prior generations, so businesses would be wise to adapt training methodologies that utilize video.

Managing millennials often requires a focus on life quality -- forget nine to five, this generation appreciates a flexible work schedule. Working hard must be balanced by playing hard, or this generation will simply not be happy long term. For many millennials, it’s less about the money, and more about the flexibility to try new things and work in an autonomous environment.

Why is all this important?

Your talent management team should look for the brightest and most agile thinkers – characteristics that may not be encapsulated fully in a traditional resume. That’s where social media research and in-person or video interviews will come in handy; with a little effort, HR managers will be able to spot the most eager candidates with the best aptitude and attitude for the roles you’re seeking.

Transcend Solutions can help you harness the power of millennial energy. Short term or long term, we’re helping companies change the world, one millennial at a time.