The generation that has grown up with the Internet is called “digital natives”. These youngsters are now coming of age and entering the job market. How do they choose their employer? What criteria do they use when selecting the company they would like to work for? Their expectations are completely different to those from the former generation, the “digital immigrants”. Previously managers could keep their employees happy with a pay rise or a promotion. However, such promises do not spur digital natives on at all. This means: It is high time for companies to change how they recruit and sustain their “digital natives”.
Change – But how?
We have put together five useful tips for you, that show you how to motivate “digital natives” to join and stay with your company:
1. Well-being comes before wealth
According to an article in the Swiss newspaper NZZ «Digital natives do not strive purely to earn a high salary; they want development prospects, they want to work autonomously, and have as much freedom as possible.” These top talents like their work to have a deeper meaning. They want to jump out of bed in the morning and skip to work happily because they know that they are making a contribution. Of course, they also want to be compensated for their work, but the fun factor is more important to them.
2. Exciting projects instead of a promotion
Digital natives are not very interested in climbing the career ladder. It is more important for them to be an expert in a specific area than boasting about a top manager status. If employers give these youngsters more flexibility and offer them career opportunities which differ from traditional career paths, then they will be happy. Many digital natives dream of being self-employed one day so they can realise their ideas and innovations.
3. Flexible ways of working
The office location used to be an important factor when jobhunting, nowadays the place of work hardly has any priority anymore. The option of home office or working models that include flexible ways of working are more important today.
4. Free time and freedom
Digital natives value a good work-life balance. They work hard and subsequently require time to relax. Also, they need to get the inspiration for their creative work from somewhere. So longer trips and sabbaticals are important to them and ideally their employer should enable this.
5. A creative work environment
The next generation likes to have an inspirational work environment which is motivating and stimulates new ideas. They like to communicate openly and exchange ideas with their colleagues.
Offer your digital natives such working conditions, and you will be surprised what they can accomplish!
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