Millennials are becoming a new challenge to UX staffing and recruiting and a new boon to smaller companies. For the first time in history, four generations are sharing the workplace and it will have an impact on UX jobs.

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With the shift of the younger workforce from Generation X to Generation Y or the Millennials, companies are finding that there are different attitudes and work habits that will have to be incorporated into the existing culture. Especially for smaller companies seeking fresh new User experience, technical writing and e-learning talent, the changes will be extremely beneficial.

Why the focus on Millennnials?

Over the next 5 years, approximately 10 million millennials, those between the ages of 18 and 34, will join the American workforce. Understanding their mindset will be critical to recruiting this newest generation of college graduates. By 2020, Millennials will occupy more than 40%. of the workplace and will provide a fresh new perspective to UX  jobs.

For companies with 500 employees and under there is some very good news. Millennials are deliberately seeking out smaller companies and not reacting to the name brands that once dominated the job market. Recent studies indicate that Millennials favor smaller businesses. According to a 2012 report by Payscale, 47% of Millennials in the workforce are employed by small businesses of 100 or fewer employees and 30% for businesses of 100-500 employees.

Who are the Millennials?

“In my experience working with and studying Millennials for the past eight years, I’ve found a large majority of them to be amazingly optimistic, innovative and courageous,” says Lindsey Pollak, a nationally recognized expert on Millennials.

Small Business Ahead, states, “Think tech-savvy, eager, collaborative and resourceful. They’re willing to speak their minds and are big on communication. They’re also self-starters, entrepreneurial in spirit, and can bring new perspectives to old ways of doing things. In short, Millennials can breathe fresh life into your small business.”

What are they looking for?

The surveys by Collegefeed showed that for Millennials “people and culture fit” is number one, followed by “career potential.” “Compensation” only ranked fourth.Quality of life continues to be a focus of this generation: Millennials value staying close to family and friends, having free time for recreation, and working in creative jobs. However, they also want to make a positive social impact on their own children and communities, as well as on society as a whole.

In an article by RedFusion on Managing the New Workforce, “New college graduates are entering the workforce, having never known a world without computers, cell phones, email, or instant messaging. They have been brought up in a fast-paced, instant world that is always moving and changing.” A wired and connected world is all that Millennials have ever known. Over 80% own a Smartphone and mobile is what they know. The generation will look to industry to work under these trends.

What can companies do to attract Millennials?

Harvard Business Review published an article on a survey of over 15,000 Millennials by Collegefeed. This data leaves one key takeaway: It is imperative for companies to focus on properly communicating their culture and career growth to potential employees. The two fundamental questions that young job seekers ask, and that companies need to answer are: “What is it like to work there?” and “What kind of growth can I expect?”

Give them a sense of purpose: Giving the Millennial generation the opportunity to be involved in corporate social responsibility.

Be inclusive: Foster a collaborative culture that will bring the latest young talent through your doors. Ask their opinion and communicate well making teamwork the word of the day.

Be tech savvy: Companies will also need to have an engaging on line presence, think mobile and tech savvy and provide unlimited opportunities to learn and grow. The nimbleness of smaller companies gives them the perfect opportunity to adapt to this new workforce.

Create a forward thinking workplace: The Millennials search for the opportunity to do creative work while developing innovative work methods.

Offer the benefits they want: Workplace flexibility and excellent short-term benefits.

Work with a proven recruiter to define their new objectives and create job descriptions that bring the best Millennial UX, Tech Writing and e-learning talent through the door.