Demographers have shown that the millennials are considerably different in their approach to work than Generation X or the Baby Boomers, and employers are spending a significant amount of time and effort to elucidate ways to attract skilled employees from this group. While millennials have a strong commitment to hard work, they also tend to see themselves as more aware of the world around them. They value a distinct work-life balance that includes giving back through volunteering. Millennials take charity work very seriously: a whopping 84% have donated cash and 70% have spent time helping out. Recent studies have shown that volunteers are happier and more productive than those who do not volunteer. How can companies attract qualified millennial job seekers who are interested in giving back?
A Hand Up, Not a Hand-out
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 62 million Americans volunteered at least once in 2015. While Americans in general think volunteering is important, millennials take it a step further by using it as part of their job search. A number of surveys found that millennials are more likely to consider working at a company that offers a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program than working at a company that does not offer such a program.
Employees who are interested in charity work have a lot to offer, and a job candidate who performs volunteer work helps a company get some insight into his or her personality before hiring. First, working as a volunteer helps to improve an individual’s social and communication skills. Volunteers typically come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and charity work often involves teaming up on a regular basis to solve a problem. Volunteers may also be used to accepting a variety of challenges, making them more likely to be flexible when obstacles arise. Finally, those who donate their time tend to be happier and healthier than those who don’t—and happy employees enjoy a 12% bump in productivity over their colleagues. These characteristics offer a significant payoff to employers, not only in productivity and fewer sick days, but also in an improved company culture.
Lending a Helping Hand
A number of companies are already using volunteering programs to attract and keep skilled employees. SAP, SalesForce, Oracle, and AutoDesk are just a few of the businesses that offer paid time off for volunteer activities. If your company does not currently offer a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, you may want to reconsider, especially if you are finding it difficult to attract qualified millennial applicants. Starting a program is not difficult, and there are a number of online sites that offer insights on beginning a program (for instance, Inc. magazine offers a very short guide on how to get started). If your business already has a CSR program, you may want to consider highlighting it more often in job posts or in interviews in order to illustrate your commitment to the community.
Finding the perfect employee hinges on more than showcasing your corporate social responsibility program, but it is a good place to start. Understanding a candidate’s background and skills are key to finding the right fit for your team. If you need to fill a position on one of your teams or have some questions about how promoting volunteerism can help your business, please contact us today.
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