The jobs that millennials want the most (and how to attract them)

Andrew Hunter

Despite their reputation, ‘millennials’ are fast becoming the most sought-after workers in today’s job market.

The vast majority of Generation Y that I have encountered in the workplace have been hard working, likeable, multitasking technology ninjas.

I know what you’re thinking. Aren’t these the same self-entitled ‘moaning millennials’ we often hear about? Maybe, but I think that’s a bit unfair. Put yourself in the shoes of your average twenty-something scraping by in the capital in 2017 – it’s no surprise that some millennials are starting to moan. But there’s no denying that they’re impacting the world of work in a way no recruiters or business leaders could have expected. They’re far from perfect, but I can confidently say that the benefits this generation bring far outweigh the challenges.

They’re sounding like a pretty appealing bunch of candidates so far, aren’t they?

There’s no concrete time scale of when the millennial generation began and ended, but the general consensus is that it includes those who were born from around 1980 to the mid-1990s. Interestingly, this suggests that the growth of the digital industry has developed in line with this generation and this will only continue as Generation Z – born around the late 1990s and early 2000s – begin to enter the workplace.

Using findings from the ‘ValueMyCV’ tool, Adzuna have found that 1 in 10 millennials, 2,919, have ‘digital’ in their CVs, in comparison to just 169 Generation Z-ers and only 6 Baby Boomers. Similarly, while 133 Generation Xers currently have ‘social media’ in their CVs, 1,297 millennials have it listed in theirs.

If we do believe the claims that, perhaps unlike previous generations, millennials won’t put up with doing menial tasks and are determined to get practical experience, it’s clear that recruiters will have to work with companies to ensure they have a work ethic and values that will fit the bill.

Here are 5 top tips on how recruiters can work with businesses to find top notch millennials:

1) Make career progression clear

Some may describe millennials as impatient with their careers, but it’s more likely that they’re simply looking ahead at their career path and have a desire to succeed in their jobs. A survey found that 41% of employee respondents would leave their job for a company with better career prospects; in order to stand out to prospective millennial employees, it’s essential that recruiters support businesses to ensure they have the space for staff to have their say about their role and how they want to progress in the future.

2) Be digitally switched on

As we mentioned earlier on, millennials are digital natives. Unlike Generation Z, the generation who have never known a life without smartphones and WiFi, millennials grew up alongside the advance of technology making them extremely savvy when it comes to the digital world. An old computer or an ink-jet printer (or even a company that still uses printers on a daily basis) may put a millennial off from an organisation.

3) Implement attractive work perks

It’s no secret that, in today’s job market, more and more organisations are looking to hire graduates and young people. To make sure businesses are standing out from their competitors, they need to have the resources and flexibility to do so. For millennials, salary isn’t the be all and end all; they’re looking to work in an environment that they enjoy and have a clear balance between work and social life. Businesses should consider flexible working hours, a quarterly team day out or even a pool table for Friday lunchtimes. For inspiration, at The Body Shop, staff are entitled to five volunteering days a year and Swinton Insurance employees are given an extra day’s holiday dedicated to Christmas shopping.

4) Provide opportunities to learn

Following on from the above tip, as millennials are constantly on the lookout for ways they can improve their work skills, providing opportunities to support them with this will attract candidates. Work with companies to look out for relevant conferences or networking events that could improve their skills that they could attend – these should be seen as an investment, because the skills they learn are sure to benefit the brand.

5)  Be present on social media

When millennials are in the job-hunting stage, you can be sure that they’ll search for prospective businesses on social media. Make sure both you and the business you’re working with don’t only have accounts across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, but that you also keep them updated – an empty Twitter feed is extremely unlikely to impress a millennial. Give an insight into what type of company it is, and also encourage them to interact with people who interact with them.

By keeping these tips in mind when searching for top candidates, you and the company you’re working with will be on the way to employing a highly skilled millennial, who will be able to transform and better the business. While millennials may have somewhat of a negative reputation, focus on the positive elements they can bring to the workplace.

Andrew Hunter is co-founder of Adzuna