“How do you get millennials to work for you?”
An audience member recently asked this question.
I was tempted to point out our Five Fs of Selling, straight out of the Who book. We researched and identified a checklist of the items that successful leaders use to sell people on joining their organizations. Fit, family, freedom, fortune, and fun.
The one that applies most for selling millennials is a matter of the first F, fit.
It’s a misconception I believe that millennials are lazy or what they really want all sorts of exceptions made like having permission to bring their dog to work, or free sushi, coconut water, and massages.
On the contrary, what I think is most important about hiring millennials is that they want to believe in the company. They want to believe their job has meaning, or has a positive impact on a broader set of people.
So when you are hiring a millennial, know that your company’s reason for being, and the job you are offering must “fit” that person’s value system. Sell that point hard. Many companies I see fail to put enough emphasis on this.
The executive who recently asked me how to get millennials to work for you was missing something. He worked for a company that in my opinion offers a WONDERFUL value—this company provides equipment and services to bring clean drinking water to people all over the world! Imagine having a company mission that profoundly valuable to attract millennial talent. Yet, in this company’s hiring practices, its website, and it’s selling tactics to prospective employees, I noticed that they were totally under-selling this important point.
How to get millennials to work for you? Be able to articulate your company’s reason for being, and show how it fits that candidate’s reason for living.
Download the SMARTtools for Leaders™ SELL Tool.
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