Attract and Retain the Talent of Generation Y

Generation Y has already started to spread through the workforce and more are coming. If you don’t adapt to the culture of this new wave of workers you may find yourself left behind. But don’t fret, here is a list of 7 steps created by-posted-hosted-and promoted by Generation Y’ers to help you attract and retain the best talent by building the ideal employee experience for them.

1. Looks Matter

We are a generation cultivated by the growth of the digital media and technology. 8-bit Super Nintendo to the super HD PlayStation 4, Microsoft Paint to Adobe Photoshop, VHS to DVD, and the death of of the CRT monitor -these shifts are what divide our childhood from who we are today. Aesthetic progression and Brand image means a lot to us. Apple is a great example of a company that has capitalized on this; look at how many 20-somethings stood in line for a retina display iPhone. Consider giving your company a digital makeover if your website only runs on Internet Explorer.

2. We’re Tech Savvy

We’re the first generation to be raised on the computer, and our skills at a keyboard are practically second nature. You don’t need to invest time and money into teaching us how to use the Microsoft Office suite and we learned how to touch type in elementary school. Go mobile and implement the latest software tools to prove that you’re not still living in yesteryear.

3. Entrepreneurs Wanted

We’ve all had entrepreneurial fantasies from the media’s glamorized hype fest. No other generation has had their peers and their heroes be the same person. Have you ever heard of Mark Zuckerberg? An introverted computer nerd is a pop-culture and business icon that’s Generation Y. That is the model for success that Generation Y’ers strive for and the standard upon which they compare themselves. If you’re business is not a start-up, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a start-up mentality in the workplace. dPOP! exemplifies how open workspaces promote collaboration and creativity, a welcome breath of fresh air to the otherwise dull cubical farms. Reward employees who suggest new ideas and actively bring about change to the workplace, and you’ll be on your way to building your own set of intrapreneurs. Intrapreneurs create a model of success that will help you attract and retain others.

4. We’re In Debt

You get what you pay for, and you can’t afford to hire mediocre talent. We’ve invested heavily in securing a top notch education, and with tuition fees only continuing to rise, I’d be lying if I said money and paying off debt wasn’t near the top of my list of concerns. We strongly consider other benefits, such as generous amounts of vacation, free meals, and a good wellness plan, before we’ll sign that dotted line. With many top companies offering similarly competitive benefits packages, consider plans such as that offered by IncentFit which merge our love for technology with an innovative take on a wellness plan. IncentFit helps show you care for your employees and that will help you attract and retain them.

5. Location Location Location

We want to live in urban cores like NYC and San Francisco where there’s a lot to do and see. There’s a reason why Dan Gilbert and the Quicken Loans family is pumping so much money into Detroit right now and why MHacks has chosen to bring the world’s top undergraduate minds there this January. You may be surprised to hear me say Detroit, but I can assure you that Detroit 2.0 is going to be a hot place to live by the end of this decade. While this one’s a bit harder for you to change, consider ways to increase employee engagement in the surrounding community by competing in local sports leagues, holding fundraisers for local charities, and catering company events with local restaurants.

6. We’re Interested in Everything

We’re channel surfers, new tab-ers, 10 second refresh-ers. Give us plenty of opportunities to move around the company and try new things, or else you’ll lose us. The internet has exposed us to cool ideas and places, and few people are interested in doing the same thing in the same city for the rest of their lives any more. Give employees the opportunity to move within the company and try new things. To attract and retain young people, show that they’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn new things.

7. Be Social

Facebook. Twitter. YouTube. We’re living in the age of social media and we know how to leverage it best. Having a strong social presence will not only grab attention, but also signal that you’re not old and out-dated. Some of our favorite websites like Greatist drive nearly all of their millions of readers to their site primarily using social media, so imagine what it can do for your company.