Sample excerpt of the kind of inquiry I receive on a regular basis.
To whom it may concern:
I’m so inspired by what you’re doing at Causecast to foster corporate philanthropy. I wish that my own company offered an employee volunteer program, but there aren’t many opportunities I have to give back at work. I’d love to work at Causecast and believe I have the qualities that a company like yours needs in its employees...
Building any company requires hiring and investing in the right employees. Building a company dedicated to making the world a better place requires rock stars. The professionals I’m looking for have all of the usual talents that every employer demands - experience, dedication, resourcefulness, team players, and the list goes on.
But above all, I want future leaders who are passionate about giving back and making an impact. People who need a sense of purpose in their work the way that some people need a fancy title. Workers who understand that social consciousness and good corporate citizenship are no longer optional attributes in today’s world but an essential way of looking at the world.
The funny thing is that employees who think about the triple bottom line aren’t just the best candidates for a company like Causecast; they’re the best candidates for any company period. Compassion is no longer a liability or loss leader; it’s a competitive advantage. Greed is not good, and Gordon Gekko’s minions are no longer the best of breed. Employees who think through a filter of compassion are the best suited to lead in a new global era of social corporate responsibility.
Millennials get that, and that’s good news for the rest of us. This generation is projected to comprise 75 percent of the workforce by 2025, and they don’t just want to be company men and women; an estimated 70 percent of young professionals around the world aspire to be their own boss. With that kind of an entrepreneurial bent, it’s important to nurture these and all employees so that they become empowered brand ambassadors for your company.
So instead of just thinking about what I’m looking for in an employee, I ask myself what the best young employees today are looking for from me and the rest of my company. Engaging employees through volunteering infuses jobs with purpose-filled work that resonates with Millennials and provides an excellent training ground for future leadership. Since my company is dedicated to growing employee volunteer programs at companies, Causecast offers a meaningful way for employees to connect with their community and passions.
As I’ve noted previously, here are some marching orders I’ve set for myself to make Causecast a top choice for Millennial talent:
- Provide them with purpose. Millennials in particular crave meaning in their jobs. They want to feel connected to their work and to the company’s mission. Seventy-one percent of employees who participated in an LBG Associates survey about employee volunteer programs indicated that they felt more positive about their company as a result of these programs. Purpose-driven work through cause is linked to boosted morale and productivity, and if you give employees the opportunity to give back, they’ll have a renewed appreciation for the importance of their jobs.
- Act as a mentor. Gen Y in particular thrives on feedback and positive recognition. Mentorship support can help them feel guided along a path towards their goals. That’s why volunteer programs that are led at the top of the corporate food chain - and which offer opportunities for mentorship support in the field - are a superb channel to create an engaged corporate culture that nurtures future talent.
- Give them responsibility. Millennials have a “can-do” attitude and want to feel challenged in the workplace. No to micromanagement; yes to letting them run with an idea. That’s why an employee volunteer program is so ideal for this group. An EVP program allows workers to expand skills, build upon strengths and connect with their community.These programs are excellent breeding grounds for new talent, allowing a neutral space for employee training and growth at a relatively low cost to the company.
- Treat them with the same respect you expect. Millennials sometimes get a bad rap for a sense of entitlement. But they bring many unique skills to the table, and they deserve your respect. Reward and recognize their technology savvy, teamwork skills, and their priority on work-life balance.
Getting the job done for the betterment of the world in an environment filled with inspired and inspiring people is what keeps me energized every day. I’ll always be working to make sure that never changes and the best and brightest want to keep working for me.