Millennial Job Hunters! Manage the Future and Find Meaning in your Work

Are you interested in business management but you don’t want to feel like you’re selling out? Well, the odds are definitely in your favor if you are looking for meaningful jobs in management today. Nearly one-third of your 21- to 32-year-old millennial peers who have bachelor’s, master’s or postgraduate degrees have not only paved the way, but may also be in a position to hire you. According to The 2015 Millennial Majority Workforce study, commissioned by Elance-oDesk and Millennial Branding, 27 percent of millennials are already managers, 5 percent are senior management and 2 percent are executives. Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that millennials will soon be the largest generation in the workforce.

What will take for you to join them in the ranks?

Technical Competency

In recent years there has been a trend of employers evaluating job candidates more on soft skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving, than on hard skills.

However, The 2015 Millennial Majority Workforce study indicates that hard skills may be making a comeback as the priority for this group. Roughly 55 percent of hiring managers say they focus more on hard skills when hiring millennials and 45 percent of them expect to become even move skill-focused in ten years.

Since there is almost no way to determine on a case-by-case basis which of these your desired employer deems most important, would-be millennial managers should be prepared to sell their hard and soft skills, along with interpersonal and technological skills, too.

Interpersonal Skills

Today’s workplace is becoming more and more diverse in many ways. Typically, the more diversity there is among groups, the greater chances that conflict will arise. Millennials need to demonstrate that they recognize the value in diversity and that they know how to manage it to achieve organizational goals.

The best way to manage diversity, whether in preferences for communication (email, face-to-face, telephonic), workplace attire, etiquette, protocol, or work style is to use relationship skills.

“New managers need to build relationships with superiors, peers and team

members,” said Brian Braudis, an executive coach certified through the International Coach Federation. “Relationships can save you. It takes skill, finesse and talent to build relationships while holding people accountable.”

Technological Skills

Although it may seem unnecessary these days to point out how technologically savvy you are, it’s not. Just don’t state the obvious. Most millennials probably have umpteen social media accounts, know how to use the Microsoft Office Suite of products, and use email to communicate on a regular bases. What less common technological tools can you use? In what unique or creative ways have you used them to accomplish professional goals? What sets you apart from others who consider themselves technologically savvy, too?

Knowledge

Finally, the old saying that knowledge is power still holds true.

Jacob Engel, author and business consultant, suggested, “Read extensively (or listen to audiobooks). Be knowledgeable about business in general and leadership in particular.” Millennial job hunters who embrace diversity and positive relationships and have the knowledge for the job are going to excel.

If you are looking for more information on how you can expand your hard and soft skills to get a meaningful job in business, contact the Admissions office for available degree paths.