There are a lot of connotations associated with millennials: They are transparent. They tend to over share. They are always on their phones, they are lazy, and they want instant gratification.

As a millennial, I will tell you that all of these things are true…depending on how you look at them.

Being transparent and over-sharing to a millennial means being open and honest and expecting others to be the same. We embrace technology and use it to better the world we all live in. Lazy is a bit harsh; we prefer a work-life balance with emphasis on life. Let’s be honest—no one likes to wait. Millennials have just been blessed with the technology allowing us to not have to wait.

By 2025, millennials will comprise 75 percent of the workforce in the United States.

I’ll give you a moment to let that sink in.

Why it's important to recruit millennial physicians

WOW—75 percent is HUGE! According to a 2017 study by the Federation of State Medical Boards, 23.78 percent of all physicians with an active license in the U.S. are—you guessed it—millennials. This makes recruiting millennial physicians a number-one priority for physician recruiters. 

Travis Singleton, senior vice president at Merrit Hawkins, says that we are at a tipping point in health care. We have more patients entering the health care system, more insured people and more ways to access health care than ever before.

So how do you recruit a generation who doesn’t share in the same expectations and motivations as the physicians you’ve been recruiting for most of your career?

What millennial physicians want

In order to effectively recruit (and retain) millennial physicians, organizations must understand the expectations and motivations of the millennial generation.

Millennials are hungry for praise and are technology driven. They’re eager to advance, enjoy a work-life balance and are looking for the entire career package.

Here are 6 things that are important to millennial physicians (in no particular order).

1. Competitive compensation

Millennial physicians are graduating from medical school with a large amount of student debt—larger than their baby boomer predecessors. They are keenly aware of the need to earn an income that will allow them to repay that debt.

2. Benefits package

Studies show that millennials start saving money for retirement much earlier than previous generations have. Benefits such as enrollment in a 401(k) plan or loan repayment are highly appealing.

3. Leadership opportunities

Millennials are team oriented and interested in leadership opportunities. This could mean offering them a committee or leadership role within your organization. It is important to discuss the future career path to paint a comprehensive picture of the impact they can have within your organization.

4. Technology

In the age of technology and instant gratification, being constantly connected is second nature to millennials and an integral part of their everyday lives. They expect the company they work for to have the newest technology and be open to new technology integrations.

5. Mentorship

Offering a mentorship gives your new employee someone to go to with questions. This can also offer the millennial a feeling of teamwork and reinforce their transition into leadership down the road when they become a mentor themselves.

6. Work-life balance

The millennial generation prioritizes life outside of work over their careers. Through this philosophy, physicians may be able to avoid burnout better than previous generations. 

Above everything, millennials are transparent, and they expect the organization they work for to be the same. They will research your employer brand on social media, your website and on internet review sites prior to an interview. In many cases, your employer brand can impact whether or not they will apply for your opportunity.

To help you learn more about the importance of employer brand, PracticeLink has provided you with a free employer branding ebook.