Month: April 2019

Millennials make up about 50% of the workforce. And this number will continue to increase for years to come. So, what exactly do Millennials look for in the workplace and how can companies meet these needs?

The short answer is that millennials have most of the same career goals as older workers. Millennials are driven by making a positive impact at a Company, helping solve social challenges and doing work that they are passionate about.  However, there are a few things millennials look for in a job that firms should be aware of.

Millennials are always ready to learn. Most are always on the look-out for an opportunity to learn something new. In fact, one of the reasons millennials are leaving their jobs is a lack of training. To avoid this, Companies can add training for both new employees and first/ second year employees who are looking to increase their value.

Millennials are competitive and used to being in the public eye. They are used to everyone knowing everyone’s business and appreciate being recognized. Reward millennials for exceptional performance and celebrate their accomplishments. This will motivate other employees and will bring the millennials “friendly competition” mindset into the work place.

Millennials hate being called millennials. Many millennials feel they are judged based on stereotypes rather than their actual work. When criticizing an individual employee, make sure not to use the word millennial. Individuals want to feel they are being judged on their performance and work, not categorized into their generation.

If you were an employer, what would you think about your social media profiles? Are you posting appropriate pictures with friends and family on Facebook? Are you posting your last meal on Instagram? Are you posting relevant newsworthy articles on LinkedIn?  Are you posting controversial political posts to Twitter?

According to a CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates. In fact, social recruiting is now a huge part of the hiring process. Many employers have people working solely to comb through candidates social media.

So, what exactly are employers looking for on your social media?

Employers are looking for insight on your character and personal life.  Do you have an online following? Are you posting appropriate pictures? Are you up to date on modern social platforms? Is there anything about you on the internet that can damage a Company’s reputation? What are other people posting about you?

Now, let’s not be afraid of social media and instead use it to our advantage to seal the deal on your job process. When posting to Facebook and Instagram, use it as an opportunity to show your personality. Show things that make you original, use it as a place to make you stand out and show what you can add to a Company’s culture. When posting to LinkedIn, try to stay conservative. Post only work-related content and make sure your experiences line up with your resume you are applying with.

Going forward, pretend your future employer is going to see everything you put up. It will make you rethink what you post.