As more and more millennials penetrate the job market, the general needs of employees will change. However, not all organizations understand that millennials’ needs in the workplace are different from that of previous generations. It is primarily due to this reason that millennials have earned the title of job-hoppers, as they continuously seek organizations that suit them.
Are you looking for a company that will offer you the ideal environment to utilize your talents? One thing you must first understand is that job searching is different for millennials. With only a few companies addressing millennials’ needs in the workplace, you must select your employers carefully. Otherwise, you will keep switching jobs after a few months, which can hamper your career progression chances.
Read on to find out whether you qualify as a millennial, some of the things you should consider in potential employers, the best companies for millennials, and how to find a company that suits your needs.
Who Are Millennials in the Workplace?
There may be conflicting information as to when millennials were born. According to the Pew Research Center, only people born between 1981 and 1996 qualify. Estimates from Gallup, which also conforms to that time window, suggest that there are over 70 million millennials in the US.
At present, the largest segment in the workplace is comprised of millennials. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, millennials will represent 75% of the workforce by 2030. With every generation transition in the workplace, employee demands and needs also evolve.
As companies say goodbye to baby boomers, it is integral that they, as employers, understand what millennials want in the workplace to achieve optimum production levels.
What Are the Characteristics of Millennials in the Workplace?
Arguably, the biggest distinction between millennials and Gen X is technological proficiency. As the first generation of digital natives, millennials are comfortable with the internet, using devices, and automation.
One of the key reasons organizations must understand and meet millennials’ needs is that they are likely to change jobs more than other generations. Data suggests that over 20% of millennials reported switching jobs in the last year, while another 60% is open to new challenges. This job-hopping nature costs the U.S. economy billions annually.
This does not necessarily suggest that they are unable to commit but more indicative of how the workplace does not address their needs. Some of their primary characteristics include:
- Tech-savvy
- Family-oriented
- Team-oriented
- Love flexible working hours
- Crave attention in the form of feedback and guidance
- Love socially inclusive work environments
- Value growth and career advancement opportunities
Best Places for Millennials to Work
Though many corporate organizations are yet to make workplaces that are ideal for millennials, some tech companies have mastered the needs of this burgeoning talent pool. Some of the top companies to work for as a millennial include:
Amazon
Founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos, currently the world’s richest man, Amazon is a Seattle-based online shopping platform. Consumers can purchase virtually all types of products ranging from groceries, books, music, and electronics, and have them shipped to their doorstep.
Renowned for its commitment to customer satisfaction, Amazon is also one of the best companies for millennials. Enshrined in their culture are values such as diversity, job flexibility, and providing opportunities to vulnerable people such as veterans and their spouses. Beyond high salaries and work-related benefits, these are the types of values that appeal to generation Y.
Additionally, most employees report having a satisfactory work-life balance that comes with 20–30 days paid leave annually.
Apple
Despite only coming to existence in 1976, Apple recently became the first publicly traded US company to reach a valuation of $2 trillion. Even more remarkable is that its valuation doubled in the last two years. The tech giant manufactures devices such as computers, smartphones, and software.
Besides being tech-driven, Apple is attractive to millennials as it has a longstanding culture of encouraging creativity and innovation, which is accompanied by the freedom for employees to test out new ideas. Also, Apple is greatly committed to improving the world as it supports numerous causes. A great example is its $100 million contribution to support underprivileged schools.
For employees, the health, wellness, and time-away programs are exceptional. Additionally, you will get reimbursement for continuing your education, access to Apple stock at discounted prices, and special pricing on all Apple products.
Microsoft
Amassing revenues exceeding $10 billion, Microsoft is one of the world’s largest and most famous tech companies. Cofounded by Bill Gates — once the world’s richest man — and Paul Allen in 1975, Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, WA.
The company develops, licenses, sells, and supports computer software and consumer electronics. For millennial job seekers, Microsoft is an appealing option. On top of a favorable work-life balance, you will benefit from an annual paid leave of 20–30 days. On top of that, you will receive mentorship focused on helping you advance professionally.
Oracle
Oracle is a Redwood City, California-based software company that was founded in 1977. Along with software, it also deals with engineered systems, cloud applications, and platform services. Unsurprisingly, as a company that emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, constructive feedback, and sharing of ideas, it is one of the top companies for millennials.
Some of Oracle’s core values include a commitment to customer satisfaction, integrity, diversity, mutual respect, compliance, fair treatment, effective communication, and striving for excellence. All these combine to create a work environment that’s hospitable, flexible, and conducive for personal growth.
In a world where social media is among people’s primary sources of entertainment and information, Facebook is one of the world’s largest technology companies. Founded in 2004, the Menlo Park, CA-based company has grown exponentially in part due to its focus on keeping employees happy.
Facebook has been named as one of the best companies to work by different publications n several occasions. Along with job flexibility and a conducive environment for creativity, Facebook employees enjoy benefits covering matters such as finance, family, health, and time off.
Another social media company that offers what millennials want from work is Twitter. The San Francisco-based company was founded in 2006 and remains one of the fastest-growing companies globally. One key ingredient for their growth and success is taking care of their employees.
This is why 84% of Twitter employees report being satisfied with their work-life balance. Other than providing an environment that’s comfortable for millennials, Twitter also offers unlimited paid days off work per year for vacation or sick days.
Netflix
In 1997, Marc Randolph and Wilmot Reed Hastings Jr. founded California-based Netflix. The company is in the business of entertainment and offers subscription-based streaming services for movies and television shows.
Netflix has earned a great reputation for how employees are treated. Millennials love flexible working hours, and Netflix takes this to the next level. The company does not track work time or employees’ days off. Their focus is on productivity rather than the amount of time spent working.
Additionally, there are plenty of mentorship and growth opportunities for employees at Netflix.
Hubspot
When you talk of inbound marketing, it’s hard not to mention Hubspot. Founded in 2004 by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah as a solution to intrusive marketing tactics, the company has grown into a hundred million dollar company. As far as best companies for millennials are concerned, Hubspot ranks high. This is why it has previously been named as one of the best places to work for millennials by Fortune and Great Place to Work.
Among the reasons employees love it is the fun nature of the work environment. Their Culture Code sums it up perfectly: “Life is short. So it should be fulfilling and fun. Work is a big part of life. So it should also be fulfilling and fun.” Additionally, the employees enjoy an excellent work-life balance and plenty of perks and benefits.
Deloitte
Based on the number of employees and revenue, Deloitte is the largest professional services network globally. When it comes to employee needs, Deloitte has earned a respectable reputation. Considering that they have 45,000 professionals in the U.S, this is a considerable feat.
Their strength as a brand comes in their ability to bring the most talented individuals and unite them with a shared vision of providing remarkable services to their clients. In the process, the employees enjoy flexible work schedules, good work-life balance, and plenty of career progression opportunities.
Getting the Right Company to Work For
One of the biggest challenges for millennials is getting a job in a company that adequately meets their needs. This is why many change jobs frequently in pursuit of the best employer. However, finding the best place for millennials to work does not necessarily involve a lot of job-hopping.
Lensa is a platform dedicated to matching employers and job seekers that complement each other’s needs. This is made possible by using sophisticated AI-based machine learning. If you are a millennial looking to make a career move, check out our job openings. You might just find the perfect company to work for.
