We millennials are constantly surrounded by stereotypes of being "lazy," "unmotivated," and "needy" in the workplace. We're compared to our parents and grandparents and are told that we lack work ethic and don't have what it takes to survive in the real world. I beg to differ.
Whether you’re ready or not, millennials are the future of business, and with record numbers of more than 1,606,000 college students graduating each year (estimated by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), it’s only a matter of time before Generation Y takes over. We’re bringing in new skill sets, new ways of motivation, and modern ideas of innovation. So, it’s true; we’re different from the current leaders of the business world, but weren’t you when you entered the workforce? Despite our bad rap, millennials can bring far more to the table than just a Twitter page or a Facebook account; however, those can prove helpful, too.
Tech-Savvy
It’s no secret that technology has taken over. With this new era filled with Apple apps and Android widgets comes the necessity to have employees who know more than just the basic functions of Microsoft Word. That’s where Generation Y comes in. We “kids” grew up alongside the invention of the technological applications that have become necessary in today’s business world. No more calling “the Tech Guy” to help make a spreadsheet; we have it under control.
100 percent Digital
Gone are the days of info packets and ten-paragraph brochures begging to be read. With social media, more and more consumers can be reached. According to a study performed by UNC's Kenan Flagler Business School and the Young Entrepreneurs Council, using social media can reach an audience 34 times larger than without. With almost every adolescent having at least one social media account, consider your marketing done.
For the Greater Common Good (and Cost-Effective!)
According to Deloitte’s 2013 Millennial Innovation Survey, young workers are much less motivated by dollar signs. In fact, millennials surveyed in the United States said that, in their opinion, creating wealth was actually the least important aspect of business, with the most important being to improve society. This means that young employees are taking smaller salaries in order to make a real difference in society. That saves both humanity and the company’s bank account.
Team-Oriented
The days of the 9 to 5 cubicle lifestyle are a thing of the past. Teamwork and communication have been engrained in the minds of millennials. Working in teams generates a higher influx of new ideas than would be considered if only one employee was working on a project. Teamwork also results in a better workplace environment, making your company more appealing to a potential employee.
Value Development
Young workers don’t enter the job market hoping for an easy way out. The study from UNC's Business School and the Young Entrepreneurs Council found that 65 percent of millennials reported that the opportunity to improve themselves was “the most influential factor” of a job. We’re not satisfied with simply maintaining a job; we want to improve. When we’re working hard to better ourselves, we’re bound to better the company as well.
So you can see, we millennials aren’t as bad as we seem. Fresh out of college, we have a lot to offer as an employee and are eager to impress. Hiring a member of Generation Y may seem like a daunting decision, but we promise you won’t regret it.
