Millennials: We’re Not That Bad, Or Hard To Figure Out
It’s really nothing new. Each generation thinks the one that follows it is made up of the worst people ever.
Maybe it’s because I am one, but the “millennial” generation is getting this treatment particularly badly. Just look at the think pieces, they’re endless. We’re lazy, we’re entitled, we’re basically just plain awful.
This is unfortunate, since millennials are up against a really brutal job market everywhere, not just in New Brunswick. Kick us when we’re down, much?
Still, not all of the critiques are unwarranted. Special snowflake syndrome can be a thing, but can you guess what the root cause of it is? It’s the way you raised us – ‘everybody gets a trophy’ – what a surprise!
Regardless, the reality is that millennials are the future workforce. If you want your business to survive and thrive in New Brunswick, you are going to have to give us a shot. And like anything, this process will be easier or harder, depending on the attitude you bring to it (that goes for both of us).
Some companies are getting it. They see the benefits of giving an honest shot to young people who want so desperately to build careers and homes in New Brunswick. They see the benefits of having “new blood” in the company, no matter how old or new it is. Many of New Brunswick’s most established companies have embraced hiring recent graduates. They know that succession and keeping current are very real issues they face. If they don’t keep up, they won’t have a business anymore. How’s that for a bottom line?
So here’s a run-down of a few of the benefits we Millennials can bring to the table, if you’re willing to offer us a seat:
1) We have a broad worldview
We grew up during the rise of the internet. This naturally exposed us to different viewpoints, cultures and ideas as the world was brought into our bedrooms. Unlike our parents and theirs, we get our news from places other than the Telegraph Journal and local radio.
This not only makes us open minded about everything from politics to gender, but we may also be able to offer you some new ideas that could help your company out. We’re also engaged and know what’s going on in the world outside New Brunswick, which is likely where a lot of new business is.
2) We’ve (grudgingly) accepted your reality of the “gig” economy.
Though it’s not by choice, we’ve accepted the fact that we may only be at a job for a few years or less. Not that a pension and health insurance wouldn’t be nice. But many of you have dealt us the hand of contract work and we’re biting that bullet.
It’s sometimes said of our generation that we have no sense of company loyalty, as many of us move from job to job. It’s not that we wouldn’t like to build some company loyalty – it’s that we can’t afford to.
So go ahead, renew our contracts year after year. If we like working for you we’ll probably stick around in hopes you’ll eventually offer us something more permanent and stable. But just know some of us do want to move out of our tiny downtown apartments and buy a home someday. Oh, and going to the dentist would be cool too.
3) We’re digital natives
Yeah, this one is over-played, but it’s true. We grew up in a world of technology. While you’re still trying to figure out how to use Facebook or what a “Twitter” is, it’s old news for us.
Not only are we good at “the Facebook” and “the Twitter,” we’re also in the know about how to use other social media and technology platforms as well. Since we’re the first generation that grew up with computers in our homes, we can pick up on all this stuff quickly. So, if your business uses a specific platform or software, just give us the run-down and we can pick it up in no time. It’s like second nature.
And if you ask nicely, we’ll look at your phone and help you figure out why your emails aren’t sending.
4) We’re hustlers.
When you’re in a job market with fierce competition for any and all positions that don’t involve serving food or manning the lines in a call centre, self-promotion and personal branding become your forté. Essentially this is where Special Snowflake Syndrome becomes Desperate Snowflake Disorder. Those of us with drive will leap at any opportunity to hone our skills and gain experience, no matter how small. Some of us are even desperate enough to offer our skills for free (but if you take advantage of that, it says more about your character, not ours).
Now imagine what this resourcefulness can bring to a work place.
5) We’re super connected.
Though having 800 Facebook friends might seem superficial, it can actually be useful. Having big social networks is not only how we connect with others, but it’s also how we learn about events, news, job postings . . . you get the picture. We know how to leverage the network of people we know, and how to connect with the ones we don’t, fast. No rolodex or phonebook needed.
6) We do care about what we do.
We are eager to please and we are eager to show you we can get the job done and then some. We’re incredibly ambitious and we want to feel like we’re really contributing something to our workplace. Give us the chance, give us helpful feedback and we can wow you.
And, we’re desperately trying to find a good job so if we get one we’re going to work to keep it.
7) We’re value-driven:
Though a house in the ‘burbs and a pension would be great, that’s not all we care about. As the documentary The Millennial Dream points out, it’s not all about the bottom line for us. We not only want to make money, but we also want to contribute to the community and the world in a positive way. We know corporate culture is changing quickly, and if there’s one thing we can do, it’s adapt. We understand that businesses today need to have a triple bottom line: financial, social and environmental. If your business is already doing this, awesome. If you business wants to do this, we can help.
Those are just a few reasons why you might want to give us a second look.
This is not to say we’re all amazing either. Like every generation, there are people that plain suck. Yet painting all of us with the same brush is not only doing “millennials” a disservice, but your business as well.
So when you create a job post requiring 10 + years of prior experience, maybe give it a second thought. Or when you see a recent grad on your resume pile, go out on a limb and give them a call. It might be the best hire you’ll make. And if nothing else, you’ll get some help figuring out why emails from your phone aren’t sending.