3 Things Millennials Are Looking for in an Employer

Millennials are the generation of people who were born between 1981 and 1996. Today, not only has this group eclipsed their predecessors in terms of buying power, but they’ve also officially overtaken the workforce. As a result, employers in every industry must do their part to figure out what people from this generation look for and value in an employer if they are to recruit and retain quality employees – especially given the fact that 64% aren’t likely to stay at a job past the five year mark. To improve your odds and keep turnover at a minimum, focus your efforts on the following three things.

They want to make a difference.

According to a recent survey by Deloitte, the majority of Millennials say they want to feel as though the work they’re performing on a day to day basis truly has an impact, not just within their workplace, but in the community and world around them. 

This is a given in the veterinary industry, since just about every position within the practice plays a role in making a difference in the lives of both people and pets. Beyond this, however, clinic leadership should routinely express to Millennial employees how much they are valued. Sometimes even something as simple as saying, “Thank you for doing this. It helped me a lot,” can go a long way toward making a Millennial team member feel recognized and appreciated.

Another important and effective way an employer can express the value that their Millennial workers have within the practice is to provide regular feedback. Unlike older generations who were perfectly content sitting down for annual reviews, younger employees seek ongoing guidance and coaching from their superiors. Keeping the lines of communication open lets these employees know that their work is valued and that you want them to succeed.

They want to learn, grow and advance.

A recent article published in Harvard Business Review and powered by a Gallup report revealed that Millennials place a significantly high emphasis on the opportunity to grow and learn when applying for a new job. Sadly, however, 63% of those surveyed by Deloitte didn’t feel as though their leadership skills were being adequately developed.

When weighing career opportunities, employees from this generation specifically look for opportunities to grow within a given company. At the very least, they want to make sure they’ll have the ability to learn and further develop their skills. 

You might be surprised to learn that 91% of Millennials polled for another study listed achieving career success as a necessary component of enjoying a good life. This is compared to 71% of Baby Boomers. The same query also found that 75% of Millennials believe that achieving personal goals is necessary for a good life, compared to just 55% of Boomers.

The younger generation of workers are not look for jobs that will simply pay the bills. They want a career that is meaningful and will help them accomplish their dreams and ambitions. Offering opportunities for development – both personal as well as professional – and providing the ability to grow into leadership roles are keys to attracting and retaining top Millennial talent.

They want to be part of a team.

Unlike many from the older generations of workers, who often enjoyed operating independently, Millennials tend to prefer environments in which they are free to collaborate with others. In fact, research conducted by PGI uncovered the fact that 88% of Millennials appreciate a workplace that’s fun and social, compared with just 60% of Baby Boomers.

For younger workers, the opportunity to work as part of a team creates a more positive and enjoyable work experience. The good news is, developing a team-focused environment that’s social and fun doesn’t have to take away from patient care or client service. It’s all about balance. When employees are able to feel closer to one another and understand the importance of everyone’s role within the practice, the atmosphere will naturally become more positive.

Employers can further solidify these internal relationships by organizing team events and group activities that take place outside the clinic. You might be surprised at how much Millennials enjoy engaging with one another even when they’re not at work. 

As a practice owner or practice manager, it’s imperative that you recognize and understand the differences between workers from various generations. And given the fact that Millennials now make up the largest portion of the workforce, the time to get to know their needs and desires is now. Position your practice as one where employees feel valued, have ample opportunity to grow and truly enjoy working together, and you’ll have a much easier time finding, hiring and keeping a great team.