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Kathryn Fisher

By: Kathryn Fisher on September 8th, 2016

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One Word: millennials...

Workforce & Human Capital | Content, Social & Digital Marketing

mailto:demo@example.com?Subject=HighRoad Solutions - interesting article
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If I had my say in it, I would NOT be a millennial but unfortunately this is one thing I can never change no matter how hard I work. With that being said, the below video is what I hear about my generation all the time (it was actually posted at a conference we attended) and while it adds comedy to the situation, it is still a stereotype:
Millennials in the Workforce

If you don’t have time to watch this video, let me summarize for you; Millennials expect things to be handed to them and baby boomers need to just accept it already because well without us in the workforce, out economy would crash.

Millennials are freshman all over again and of course we can and do expect the usually “prove yourself” mentality but this is no longer a difference of a few years in age, we now have the difference of generations. I found this quote on US Chamber Foundations website:

“the stereotypical ambitious boomer workaholic may be critical of one who does not share the same ethics and values. The independent Gen Xer may not appreciate the team orientation and desire for seemingly constant feedback. At the same time, the social-minded Millennial may not understand the priorities of other generations.”

In other words, I have to prove myself to a workaholic generation and then a generation who expects me to figure it out on my own; what a headache!

After all this talk about Millennials, I had to see what I was really up against, other than a stereotype because let’s face it, while stereotypes have some truth they do not always line up 100%. So after some research I found a Fortune article that helped me debunk those myths:

First up, Millennials are known to leave jobs very quickly especially if you don’t match our passion:

“The survey data reveals that all three generations change jobs for similar reasons. Millennials, Gen X’ers and Baby Boomers all cited the same top four motivating factors for changing jobs: to enter the fast lane (by far the most popular for all generations), shoot for the top, follow one’s heart, or save the world.”

Next. We think everyone should get a trophy? Oddly the data said:

“When asked what makes a “perfect boss,” millennials said they want a manager who’s ethical and fair and also values transparency and dependability. Lower on the list of importance is a boss who recognizes their accomplishments and asks for their input.
Actually, Gen X employees, more than millennials, think everyone on a successful team should be rewarded. And millennials are no hungrier for pats on the back than their Gen X colleagues.”

Thirdly, we have different goals; but do we really?

“Millennials have numerous and varied goals. They desire financial security, seniority, inspirational leadership, clearly articulated business strategies and performance-based recognition and promotions — just as much as Gen X and Baby Boomers do. Similarly, the other generations are just as interested as millennials in working with a diverse group of people.
This indicates that many changes being made to “millennialize” the workplace will – most likely – be welcomed by multiple generations, too.”

Lastly, and my favorite is that we have to post everything to social media and have no respect for professional or personal boundaries…but guess what?!

“This notion isn’t supported by the data. For example, when it comes to learning new skills at work, Millennials prioritize face-to-face contact over digital options. As for respecting professional boundaries in social media, it’s the younger generation – not Gen X or Boomers – who are most likely to draw a firm line separating their personal and professional lives.”

Bottom line: Millennials grew up in a different time and with a different lifestyle but when it comes to our careers, we don't differ much from other generations; so why is everyone so focused around shifting to this new generational cliché?