Last month, Forbes highlighted a recent study listing Microsoft as the No. 1 Fortune 500 company that millennials want to work for, followed by Walt Disney Company, HP, Google and Apple.
It’s no surprise that four out of the top five companies are technology corporations. Technology firms have become increasingly attractive to millennials, who thrive in fast-paced, growth-oriented and tech-savvy environments.
Anyone who’s seen The Internship knows that Google offers flashy benefits geared toward millennials, like free gourmet meals, trendy workstations, nap pods and self-driving cars. While Microsoft’s lifestyle may not seem as utopian as some of its Silicon Valley peers (spoiler alert: our shuttles on campus are still driven by real-life humans), the company offers a variety of other perks that contribute to it repeatedly landing on lists of top companies to work for.
As a millennial who’s been working at Microsoft for five years, here’s an insider look at five things we're doing now to attract, retain and advance millennials -- and how you can apply similar approaches to your own company:
1. People
Millennials care about who they work with and for, sometimes more than the work they do itself. According to an IBM report, one of the top things millennials look for in a job is the ability to work with a diverse group of people.
At Microsoft, I’ve been surrounded by colleagues with a variety of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. In my immediate team, I work alongside an ex-military officer, an Italian now living in Singapore, and colleagues from England, South Africa and Mexico who have immigrated to the U.S. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has placed increased emphasis on diversity and inclusion, and the signs of progress are evident.
Building a diverse team starts with recruiting. Focus on casting a wide net across industry hires, undergraduate hires, and hires who may not fit the traditional profile. In Microsoft Inside Sales, some of our best hires have come from military and retail versus technology sales.
2. Variety
I intentionally targeted a job at a Fortune 500 company upon graduation because, like many new grads, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. Microsoft was attractive to me because it offers a plethora of options. Its products span across consumer and enterprise, the company has a global reach, and there are jobs in every business function imaginable.
When I started, I quickly threw out the idea of a career ladder and instead focused on gaining a set of skills that would set me up for the long run. I’ve been able to differentiate my experiences by having roles in sales, finance, business development and operations. In essence, I've been able to create a sort of “liberal arts” experience for myself in the business world.
Often referred to as the job-hopping generation, this type of environment is important to millennials who want to take on horizontal challenges while growing vertically. Invest in rotational programs or projects that allow millennials to experience and build different skills.
3. Flexibility
In addition to wanting flexibility across departments, millennials want flexibility in how, when and where they work. Deloitte’s 2016 Millennial Study shows that 75% of millennials want the ability to work from home or environments other than the office. In most markets, the study found that work-life balance came before career progression when evaluating job opportunities.
While some employers fear that this may lead to decreased productivity, millennials argue that a creative, comfortable work environment can boost their efficiency and effectiveness.
Microsoft offers a number of flexible work arrangements including flexible hours, remote work, part-time roles, and compressed weeks. Employees can make them more permanent or shorter-term. But many jobs require teams to be co-located and working closely to achieve business goals.
Fortunately, companies that need their employees to be in the office during specific work hours can still cater to a millennial audience by making the work environment more comfortable, creative, and inclusive. One way we've done this is by investing in things like game and music rooms, snacks and open work areas.
4. Experiences
Companies that win with millennials are those that offer experiences. As an example, the topic of how millennials are creatively approaching business travel has become increasingly prevalent, with 78% intentionally carving out personal time on a business trip. I’ve traveled to 5 continents, 19 countries, and 24 U.S. states in my current job. Turning business travel into “workations” has made my trips more balanced and memorable.
Microsoft also has a visiting speaker series called Outside In, where thought leaders like Al Gore and Brené Brown come to campuses to share new ways of thinking. Even if your company doesn't have the ability to bring in famous names, consider starting a lunch and learn series with local speakers to share their path and insights.
5. Impact
Above all, millennials want to make a difference: 64% say it’s a priority for them to make the world a better place. Tying your company’s mission to societal contribution will go a long way with millennial employees. When it comes to mission, be bold and think big. Microsoft’s mission is “to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.” Amazon’s is “to be the Earth’s most customer-centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online.” These statements show the investment these companies have in changing and making their mark on the world.
Whether you have a large or small company, these five elements can be applied to your business in order to appeal to a millennial audience. And if all else fails, just order some bean bags for the office.
