The Millennial Train of Thought

No one ever said finding a job was easy. For you a Millennial/Gen Yer, you have quite the challenge compared to some previous generations. A good majority of Gen Y is just starting their careers and still unsure of what they want, and you’re all looking for this start in a lackluster economy and job market. In addition, it seems that as a whole Gen Y has some negative stigmas attached to your reputation as professionals.

Quite honestly, hiring managers and employers are wary of hiring Gen Y. Those assumptions of being entitled, lazy, and unrealistic have unfortunately been proven true by some of the members of your generation.

Even if you don’t think you come off that way to employers, your attitude may be hindering your job search altogether. Your train of thought actually influences more than you think and it becomes a driving force. If that force is getting you nowhere in your job search, it’s time to go back to basics. Consider these three ways to rethink your thought process for the job search:

It’s Not All About Me

This thought is probably the biggest barrier stopping Gen Y from finding the right position. As important as salary, career growth, and workplace perks are, they should not be your main priority. Throughout the hiring stage, you must keep your wants on the back burner. Believe it or not, but the employer’s needs and wants matter too.

It’s true – employers are looking at what you can do for them, so you’re already at a huge disadvantage if you’re mindset is all about you. Consider looking at it from an employer’s perspective: they’ve been looking at candidate after candidate, but none seem to actually care about the company’s mission or goals, which means they just aren’t a good “fit.” Wouldn’t it be refreshing for them to see a candidate who wants what the company wants? A candidate like that would easily stand out above the rest.

If you want to be that standout candidate, change your mindset from focusing on “me” to focusing on “the company.” That way, you’ll be able to assess if each position you apply for will actually be a good fit, you have the right skills, and you will be motivated enough to accomplish their goals.

The Right Job Will Not Appear To Me

With half of recent college graduates jobless or underemployed, you owe it to yourself to be more assertive in your search.

Being more assertive can mean changing your job search process completely. It could be trying small things, like changing your outdated email address to something more professional, or bigger things, like moving from your hometown to a city with more opportunity. Either way, these adjustments will require you to accept that the right job isn’t just going to appear where you are when you want.

Being Tech Savvy Is Not Enough

Saying that Millennials are technologically competent is an understatement. You’re a digital natives who has been connected since you can remember. Because of this advantage, most Millennials often think it’s enough to impress any employer. In reality, positions require much more than just fulfilling the technical requirements.

When applicants are being screened, employers tend to read between the lines of your resume. They look at your work ethic (if you’ve moved up in the company), your loyalty (if you held a position for more than a year), and if you’re able to prioritize your time (between going to school and having an internship, part-time job, or volunteering). In the interview stage, this examination for “soft skills” is much more invasive. They want to know if you can get along with the team and “fit” into their culture. Think about what sort of skills you have that are transferable and can be applied to a career instead of a position. Market yourself with your “soft skills” as well – employers appreciate a well-rounded candidate when they see one.

It’s OK if you see some truth and can relate to one or all of these views. The good thing is now you’re aware of what you have to change. Knowing this is only half the battle. The other half is actively making the change to ensure job search success.

What do you think? What else can Millennials do to change their thoughts about the job search? Share with us!