According to recent estimates,the number of employees older than 55 years in P&Cinsurance is 30% higher than in any other industry. With such alarge segment of the workforce on the verge of retiring,independent agents need to recruit a new generation of talent.

But to do that, millennials need some convincing as to whyinsurance is a rewarding career. Independent agency employers canappeal to millennial talent in three ways:

1. Insurance is evolving with technology that will transform theiroperations
2. Insurance is driven by service: Millennials want to make adifference and have an impact on their world. The fundamentalpurpose of the insurance industry—to protect what mattersmost—resonates with Gen Y, who want meaningful careers that serveothers.
3. Insurance is a sustainable industry: Insurance has longevity onits side and offers security in a fluctuating job market.

PC360 previously covered how millennials research and purchase P&C insurance. Butnow, with millennials expected to fill as much as many as 200,000 positions in the insurance field by 2020, learn whatagency owners need to know about hiring and working with Gen Y,based on Applied System's "Why Millennials Matter"report, which details the evolution of the insuranceagency as millennials proliferate the workplace, and technologiesthat enable the independent agent to reach and connect with theseconsumers.

Next page: How can I turn millennials towardinsurance careers?

How can I turn millennials toward insurancecareers?

Millennials are driven by four career goals: flexibility,opportunity, charitable efforts and working in an area that holdspersonal interests.

From implementing technology to marketing products innever-before-seen ways, millennials will change the way insurancecompanies operate. They also influence how to improve clientservice, expand multichannel communication efforts.

Seems obvious, but Gen Y understands Gen Y. Peer-to-peer saleswill become more prevalent in the insurance industry as themillennial workforce grows.

Next page: 9 ways to recruit and retainmillennials

Applied Systems gives nine ways to recruit and retainmillennials:

1. Cast a wider net: Recruit worforce-ready millennials, but alsostudents who have a history in STEM (science, technology,engineering and mathematics) or those who are part of the InVESTprogram–a school-to-work insurance program that teams with highschool and college educators to provide an insurance curriculum forstudents.
2. Close the generation gap: Veteran staff members can mentor newemployees.
3. Prepare millennials: Although Gen Y is comfortablecommunicating through any device, they may need some mentoringregarding face-to-face communication.
4. Provide a career path: One that gives them room to grow andenough internal mobility to maintain their interests.
5. Give them choices: Flexible hours and remote work optionsbalance their careers and personal lives.
6. Utilize their tech literacy: Gen Y can communicate effectivelyon nearly any device.
7. Allow them to multitask: Millennials become bored easily, andthey excel at working on multiple projects simultaneously.
8. Capitalize on their networking skills.
9. Create a pleasing work environment.

Next page: What technology do millennialsprefer?

What technology do millennials prefer?

Gen Y constantly needs to be connected: 90% of millennialsemail, text and social media before they go to bed; 87% have aFacebook account, and 90% shop online.

Millennials want to stay connected to their friends andco-workers at all hours. The ability to multitask and shareinformation is essential to their productivity.

Multichannel engagement allows millennials to interact withindependent agencies. Because 76% of survey respondents feel that amobile app is "very important," strong mobile strategy is amust.