It always seems like somehow -- no matter what the topic or occasion is-- every comment section of every video, article, or post in history is riddled with jokes about Millennials. There are a lot of stereotypes about the character and personality traits of members of the Millennial generation, and while a lot of them stem from misunderstanding between younger and older generations, they can actually be somewhat harmful. What boss wants to hire a person who's part of a generation that they believe to be entitled, sarcastic, and lazy? Well the reality is that Millennials actually have a lot of useful skills that are helpful around the office:
1. They're good with technology
Millennials grew up using technology in pretty much everything they do. Incorporating that into the workplace is a piece of cake!
2. They like establishing relationships everyone at the company (especially management)
In school Millennials knew that one of the est ways to get ahead was to make sure you have a good relationship with teachers, department heads, etc. Getting close with the people in charge of you is never a bad thing.
3. They seek out opportunities to move up
Millennials are young and driven.and they feel them most comfortable when they can plan for the future and make clear steps towards achieving their goals.
4. They love to be able to show their skills at work
They love to show that their valuable to the company, which inspires them to work harder.
5. They're globally minded
The internet and social media has made Millennials constantly aware of what's going on in the world around them.
6. They work well in teams
Millennials like to work in teams because it's fun, but they also recognize that everyone has something useful to contribute.
7. Diversity is important to them
Millennials grew up knowing and appreciating the importance of diversity-- especially in a professional space.
8. They love to share their opinions
Again, Millennials love to feel valuable, so if they have an idea or opinion they aren't afraid to share it.
9. They love to learn new things
At the same time, Millennials love the opportunity to learn new skills and apply everything that they learn to their jobs.
10. They want to be creative and innovative
Millennials crave the chance to create change and are prone to branch out or stray from the norm. This mindset normally leads to lots of unique ideas.
So I'm not saying that Millennials can't be cynical or sarcastic, but just because Baby Boomers and GenXers have a difficult time understanding their behaviors and motivations ( and rightfully so), doesn't mean they should be seen as bad workers or lazy. We should pay more attention to the next generation of employees!
