I recently wrote about how financial advisers want nothing to do with millennials. As discouraging as this may be, it’s time for me to reassure readers that there are companies and organizations out there who do want us! Forbes published an article entitled Why Millennials Drive Estée Lauder’s Market Share. That’s right, world-renowned beauty leader Estée Lauder is targeting millennials. They want us! We’re the group they’re designing products for. They want their products to speak to us, to be of use to us. They want us, rather than any other generation, to purchase their products. That’s all really great, but do they want us to work for them?
Finding a job targeting millennials is much more difficult than finding beauty products targeted for millennials (sorry Estée Lauder!). Companies are confused by our work ethic; how we don’t see a reason to slave away in a cubicle for forty hours a week in clothes that are business professional is a mystery to them. We actually want to enjoy the work we are doing! We want to make a change in society. We refuse to simply just settle for the typical entry-level job where we answer phones as someone’s assistant. We want more. We want to actually make money. We want to look forward to going to work. We want to utilize our “millennial talents.” I’m pretty sure I just made up that phrase, but let’s run with it and explore what a few of these millennial talents are.
We grew up with technology.
Computers, Google, cell phones, the Internet. These are all things we grew up with, and when I say grew up, I actually mean grew up. These products and services weren’t already around when we were born. We weren’t simply given an iPad at two years old to keep us quiet. As we grew up, technology evolved. This gives us an innate understanding of the power and benefit of technology. Use this to your advantage. Companies are always in need of an IT department, people who understand the inner workings of computers, know what to do when one stops working, and of course knows how to back up their work. Additionally, list this skill in your resume. It may seem unnecessary, but it most definitely won’t hurt.
We (should) know Microsoft Office like it’s the back of our hand.
At least three times a week, I’m helping someone in my office sort an Excel sheet, create columns on Word, or add images to a PowerPoint. Working with Microsoft Office may seem common and redundant, but I promise you that you’d be surprised how many people still have difficulty with these programs. Make sure to add to your resume that you are proficient in these programs, and always be willing to help older staff members who may not be. It’s a great way to show senior staff that not only are you great at your own job, but that you’re willing to be patient and help others out as well.
We live on Social Media.
As a millennial who currently works in Social Media, I will admit that I’m biased and believe that this is the perfect fit. Social Media is a thing of our generation. We were the first to use it, first to develop it, and first to utilize it. Social Media can be your best friend and help you get a job, but it can also harm you and hinder you from a job depending on how it’s being used. For the most part, companies are looking for younger staff to be in charge of these channels. It makes sense, since we are constantly on Social Media! There are even still some companies not on Social Media. If you’re part of one of these companies, suggest creating a Facebook or Twitter page to your boss. It’s a great way to show them that you’re thinking beyond your job description and that you truly do want to better at the company.
I could go on and on with more talents that millennials have, but I’ll save that for another post. Companies are already targeting their products at millennials. It’s time they targeted their jobs to us as well. Let’s become the main target market when it comes to hiring. Let’s use the above talents, and more, to get their attention.
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