How to attract top Millennial talent for your company

Whether you’re starting a new business, expanding an existing one, or looking to replace a valued team member, hiring new talent is never an easy task. Take the stress out of the process and find the hottest new talent with these tips for posting a Help Wanted ad.

Hiring new talent is never an easy task. It’s stressful, frustrating, and overall a long period of time often leaving you with zero results. There are a few ways you can reduce the amount of “junk mail” and narrow your search to a few strong candidates. A job post is the first impression potential employees have of you. It’s a peek inside your company’s culture. Catchy job posts show your creative value. Millennials want an imaginative workplace that is overflowing with communication and collaboration. These workers are looking for positions that present them with new challenges almost daily.

Where to advertise

Where you post a want-ad is equally as important as what your ad says. Job-searching Millennials are using personal sites: Craigslist, Facebook Jobs, and Instagram to propel their searches. No one wants to be judged by a generator looking for “keywords” in their resume. B2B oriented pages, LinkedIn, Indeed, or the typical Company Website offers no personality, which is a turn-off.

The image of a traditional post

If your job post looks “traditional,” it isn’t going to catch the eye of new hot talent. Think, new talent, new look! Do you want an employee who takes their time with their work and tries? Why would someone searching for a job expect anything less from you?

Here is an example of what NOT to post:

Executive Assistant

We are seeking a high level administrative/ executive support professional for our industry leading downtown Boston office. As an executive assistant, you will provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, handling information requests, and perform clerical functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff. There is a significant opportunity for growth in this position as we have a large administrative staff.

Tasks

• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as
• managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures.
• Manage and maintain CEO and President’s schedules, appointments and travel
• arrangements
• Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet or presentation software
• Read and analyze incoming memos, submissions, legal documents and reports to determine their significance and plan their distribution
• Contact clients, vendors and partners to set up meetings, follow ups, etc.
• Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email
• File and retrieve corporate documents, records, and reports
• Greet visitors and determine whether they should be given access to specific individuals
• Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries
• Handle confidential information daily

Job Requirements

• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures.
• At least 3 years of experience providing support at executive level
• Proficient computer skills and in-depth knowledge of relevant software such as MS Office Suite
• Knowledge of standard office administrative practices and procedure
• Outstanding organizational, planning and communication skills
• Information gathering and information monitoring skills
• Problem analysis and problem-solving skills
• Judgment and decision-making ability
• Initiative
• Confidentiality
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Flexibility
• Bachelor’s degree is an advantage

It’s boring! It lacks interest, there are bullet points with information, and to be completely honest, I barely read through it. In fact, I doubt you read the entire post either.

The job requirement section isn’t necessary. If you find an inquisitive individual with goals, a drive, and a strong personality, they can learn whatever it is you deem “necessary.” The only acceptable list to provide is your absolute “must-haves!” Forget about vague examples of possible employee qualities. A few more No-No’s: no company mission statement + no links to its online media = NO thank you! The biggest mistake this company made was not talking about itself.

The modern job post

Your post is the first date with your future employee. Neither of you has anything to lose, so be honest with your expectations and open to bringing in someone new.

Here is a great example of what TO DO:

ABOUT YOU:

You are motivated, well-spoken, and thick-skinned. You’ve got a knack for juggling multiple projects at once and prioritizing to get everything accomplished effectively. You’re hard-wired with a “get things done” attitude and love being faced with new challenges. And to top it all off, you know a thing or two about being an executive’s right-hand person.

DAY TO DAY:

– Act as liaison between the Founder and other members of the team

– Assist with logistical operations including running errands

– Maintain calendar and meeting schedule

– Coordinate office and home maintenance

– Manage written correspondence

– Coordinate meetings and welcome guests to office

– Assist with special projects across all departments

WHY WE WANT YOU:

Our ideal candidate is comfortable with no two days ever being the same. We’re looking for someone who understands that confidentiality is crucial, negotiation will get you far, and who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

– Excellent written and oral communication skills

– Ability to present facts and recommendations effectively

– Superior time management skills

– Strong negotiation skills

– Ability to juggle multiple projects and tasks from hour-to-hour and day-to-day

– Self-starter with a growth mentality

– Experience with or ability to quickly learn new technologies, including Google for Work

– Detail-obsessed, while remaining efficient

– Comfortable receiving constructive criticism and feedback

BENEFITS:

– Health, Life, and Disability Insurance after working with us for 1 month

– Generous Paid Time Off

– Slack (communication tool)

– Laptop Computer

– Gym Membership reimbursement

– Free catered lunches 4 days a week

– Coffee, soda, snacks, ping pong, and beer on Fridays

ABOUT US:

Eat Well Nashville is a local meal delivery service bringing healthy and affordable restaurant-quality meals right to your door! Each chef-prepared meal we offer is fully-cooked and ready to heat and eat, so you can worry about what’s important to you, instead of spending countless hours each week shopping for, preparing, or cooking food — or doing dishes!

This post hits every nail on the head. It uses common phrases like “thick-skinned” and “right-hand person” to connect to its potential employee. It speaks the language of these young Millennial whippersnappers. The final two sections are its strongest assets. They offer out-of-the-box benefits and, even better, they put themselves out there. I felt like reading this post all the way through, and when I was finished, I felt informed.

The bottom line: You need Millennials

Millennials will make up over 75% of the workforce within the next 6 years and will continue to challenge traditional business views. As a company, your focus should not simply fill a position, but find the perfect person. Grow your company family!

Social media exists today because this generation is a social group; use this to your advantage. Show them you can play ball. The more unique, the better! Remember it only takes 7 seconds for people to decide on applying or not. Think about your Help Wanted post. What does it say? Who does it attract? Would you apply?