You’re trying to infuse some fresh blood into your workplace; chances are that you’re looking to hire a millennial. As millennials make up one of every three workers in American businesses, it’s no wonder people are clamoring to update their employee roster with one of 53.5 million potential hires.

As millennials are in their twenties and early thirties, they require different things from an office setting than the baby boomer members of your staff used to need. If your office is made up of stale colors, threadbare carpeting, dull and drab furniture, and harsh fluorescent lighting, then you will need some tips and tricks on how to attract millennials to your workplace.

Open Concept

Millennials dig an open floor plan office, but this is not to say that there should be no division of space whatsoever. Some of these individuals won’t flourish as much out in the open but like to feel as though they’re still part of the team, so make sure there is a space where your introverts can get away from it all. Ditch the cubicles and watch the collaborative magic happen.

Diverse Seating

Given the importance of ergonomics in the workplace, millennials want to see a variety of seating possibilities in the office. Add some balance balls, comfortable lounge chairs, and well-made ergonomically-friendly task chairs. Millennials have a reputation for being somewhat fickle, but they are also the ones bringing ideas to the table, so if varietal seating keeps them happy, do it! Promote their creative and collaborative spirit by offering several open seating areas in which they can meet up to plan together.

Conference Rooms

They thrive on collaboration and bouncing ideas off of each other but dislike the idea of long, tedious meetings. Business owners are mistaken, using this fact to delete conference rooms entirely from their offices, but don’t do this. Several conference rooms of varying sizes are a great place for impromptu chats or teamwork sessions that millennials thrive within.

Tech-Friendly

If there’s one thing all millennials can agree upon, it is the importance of technology. Think more digital and less analog in your office. Overhead projectors and desktop computers are out. Consider tablets and Bluetooth keyboards or digital displays to keep them interested. Allowing them to use the tech they already possess is all the more attractive to the average millennial. Built-in USB charging ports are also a vast attractant for the average millennial, so make sure they’re plentiful.

Learn Their Trends

Millennials value work and will work long hours, but they also like to maintain a balance. Workplaces with gym areas or wellness programs are superiorly attractive, as well as offices with comfortable and well-equipped break room or lounge areas. Offices looking to attract a new millennial workforce will also want to embrace as many team-building exercises as possible.

Perks

Millennial employees strive to be valuable, and they love a good perk. Supplying a break room with bottled water or quality coffee accouterments is a plus they’ll appreciate. Offering a day a week during which they can telecommute is also an added benefit for many members of this youthful workforce. Try to include small benefits that may not seem like much; an impromptu catered lunch, a brief one on one conversation, or bagels in the break room will go a long way in demonstrating your millennials value within the company.
Millennials come from a generation that is known to be rewarded for their performance, and employers need to follow suit when trying to attract them. What worked for the boomers and the Gen X employees isn’t going to be the same things that millennials need, so be willing to make the adjustments to attract the fresh faces to your business.