How Millennials Can Overcome Generational Stereotypes

How Millennials Can Overcome Generational StereotypesHow Millennials Can Overcome Generational Stereotypes Millennials get blamed for a lot of things. They eat way too much avocado toast - and drive up its price. They may have brought forth the death of TV sitcoms . And they have put casual dining and chain restaurants on the endangered species list. So, its not at all surprising that a new survey has put millennials in yet another unfavorable light they punkt asleep at work.Thats right according to V8 + Energy , which polled 1,000 U.S. residents ages 22 to 37 on their energy levels, 30 percent of millennials have fallen asleep at their desks. But it didnt stop there. Thirty-six percent of millennials admitted to faking sick to leave work early 32 percent copped to missing or arriving late to an important meeting and 20 percent of the millennials said theyve shown up to work with their clothes on backwards or inside out. In other words, the survey doesnt ex actly paint a picture of millennials as good employees. But before we judge them too harshly, millennial career expert Jill Jacinto reminds us its easy to criticize these young workers. When a new generation comes into the workforce. the older generations quickly point and say the newcomers have it so easy, she says. And if you look at it from a birds eye view, they do. After all, Jacinto points out, Imagine not having the internet, a computer, cell phones, or Slack to get your work done. (Yes, were shuddering.) But you cant blame workforce transformation on millennials, Jacinto says. When looking at numbers like this, she says, additional questions need to be asked before millennials are judged For example, falling asleep at your desk is egregious, Jacinto quickly agrees, but she adds, I wonder how long that employee worked the night before? Of course, employers dont always ask these questions- and so, if youre a millennial who wants to beat your generations bad work rep and c onvince someone to hire you , weve got three tips to keep you in the job running and, hopefully, catapult you to the top of the pile. Hiring managers have told me that some of their best hires were consumers first, Jacinto says. What does that mean? If you have an interview with a food company, for example, go to the store and sample its food for yourself, suggests Jacinto. If you cant buy the product or tafelgeschirr because cost or if the product is not business-to-consumer, then explore its website, event listings, social media , videos, and press releases, and take notes with a consumers perspective, Jacinto instructs. Being able to authentically demonstrate this type of knowledge will come across very clearly to the person sitting across the table.According to Jacinto, employers want to know that you are a team player and can easily fit into their culture. This may be especially important to prove as a millennial, often thought of as selfish and impulsive. So, during an int erview, as you answer their questions, literally say we as opposed to I so that you already sound like you are part of the team, she says.To beat a bad rep as a millennial worker, it is important to stay focused and understand your goal is to sell yourself during the interview , Jacinto says. In other words, this is not the time to ask about vacation days, working weekends, salary, or a bonus, Jacinto warns. These questions should be asked after you have been offered the job. Instead, you should use the small window of time you have with a hiring manger to ask strategic questions that show your worth as a candidate and that promote your skill set, Jacinto instructs.

3 strengths you can develop only by switching jobs

3 strengths you can develop only by switching jobs3 strengths you can develop only by switching jobsIn 2011, The Economist declared freelancing as the future of work. Instead of being a cause for celebration, the demise of traditional jobs has produced fear and agitation. Policy-makers the world over are painstakingly focused on manufacturing jobs, while the media agonize over automation and AI.In fact, it is the nature of work, which is changing. Today, technology and globalization are altering the way people work and how long they stay with one employer. In October last year, a McKinsey study found that between and 20 and 30 per cent of workers in Europe and the US are participating in the gig economy, namely working independently and relying on a combined income from projects (gigs), rather than on a steady monthly salary.Changing jobs often is the ultimate strategy for survival in the gig economy.Not only are jobs not what they used to be, the world has become more competitive th an ever. Employees are no longer rewarded for acquiring plenty of firm-specific knowledge. Spending more than five years with the saatkorn firm is perceived as opportunities by-gone, not as a competitive advantage.What we perceive to be a good job has also changed. Manufacturing and amtsstube jobs used to be the core of middle-class stability. At present, winning in the labor market means building your individual capital, being flexible and adaptable, a life-learner, keeping your skills as fresh. A good job must enhance your skill set, despite this being what you will take to your next job. The best way for you to keep up with the complex gig economy is to change jobs frequently.From before the 2008 financial crisis, most job turnover has been at the employees free will. The shift from traditional job security to greater independence in work seems strange today. But it is jobs, as we understand them today, that are the new concept.Before the Industrial Revolution, most people were s elf-employed baking bread, making shoes, selling milk and meat, etc. Individuals created value, which was later exchanged for other goods and services. Staying with the same employer for too long can lead to you losing touch with the real world. Spending too much time in the same office cubicle can lead to you focusing on office politics, instead of on your market value. Its a good idea to let yourself be blown by the winds of todays dynamic talent ecosystem.To persuade you even further why you should think of your job as a planned obsolescence good, here is a list of three strengths you can develop only by changing jobs often.Related articlesRobert scored a point against autism and found a job thanks to How to be as graceful as Michelle Obama when you leave your job7 Mistakes That Are Common In College Students Resumes and How to Fix Them1. Awareness of your true market valueIts impossible to know what you as an employee are worth in the labor market if you stay at one place for too long. Your employer and colleagues may have a difficult time to keep up with your intellectual and professional advancement. This can result in you being perceived as who you were when you started, not who you are now. A new employer will have a fresh and updated look on your career path. With each new job change, you get to redefine yourself in whichever way you like. This is what will help you grow and prosper.2. Keeping your skill set up-to-dateYou are bound to begin performing your job robotically if you stay with the same employer for too long. In result, you may lose touch with the outside world. In order to keep up with innovations, trends and industry advancements, you have to move around. Being with the same company for too long can result in you never leaving your comfort zone and thus missing out on crucial learning opportunities. Switching jobs is the way to constantly improve your skill set, gain new inside information and develop your human capital. Changing jobs i s what lets you stay open and curious, ready to explore what your industry has to offer.3. Grow your network and reputation.The more organizations you have been employed with, the larger your network of influence. The best time to leave a job is at the peak of your performance right after scoring a major deal or achieving some tangible success. If you follow this strategy you are bound to leave a trail of people, who only have good things to say about you. The more organizations you work with, the more talented people you know. This is particularly important if you are thinking of starting your own business in the future. Contacts always come in handy.In the end, you can always rely on inspiration from someone who had it right. Benedict Evans, who currently works with Andreessen Horowitz (the venture capital firm, which invested in Facebook, Lyft, Airbnb, BuzzFeed, Foursquare, etc.), went mehrzahl in 2009, namely working freelance on a number of projects. Before that he switched jo bs frequently, building his human capital at Orange, Channel 4 and NBC Universal. He attributes his strategic mind to changing jobs often. This is what allowed him to pinpoint what is going on today and accurately predict future trends.Discovering the next Airbnb or Facebook is just a side benefit. This doesnt go to say that you should quit your job today. But maybe you should start thinking about it.To read next Check out our resume examples section that got people hired at their dream jobs.

How to Decide What Type of Law to Practice

How to Decide What Type of Law to PracticeHow to Decide What Type of Law to PracticeLaw students (and even many lawyers) struggle to figure out whatschriftart of law they want to practice. In law school, its easy to think you only have two choices corporate or litigation (at least in schools where the expectation is youll go into a large firm right out of school) but there are lots of options. And finding a good fit for your personality and interests is one key to happiness in a legal career. Here are a few considerations to determine what type of law would be a good fit for you How Much You Like to Argue Few anticipate the level of day-to-day conflict they would be participating in as litigators. Its clear they will be arguing in court, but they underestimate the level of ongoing animosity with opposing counsel and so on. If you think you want to be a litigator, be sure you like fighting. The happiest litigators love the game and thrive on winning. If youre mora conciliatory, a different option might be a better fit. Itis possible to switch. Heres a story of a young associate leaving litigation, and leaving BigLaw in search of a better fit in a corporate position at a startup. How Motivated You Are by Money Studies of lawyers suggest that the happiest lawyers tend to be the lowest paid. Unfortunately, in the legal profession, theres often a tradeoff between meaningful work and high pay. If you know that youre highly motivated by making a lot of money, youre going to be happy in a very different job than someone who is less financially motivated and cares more about doing work they personally consider meaningful and important. Neither approach is better than the other, but its critical to think about where you personally fall on this spectrum for lasting happiness. How Much Control You Need Over Your Work Life The reality of the legal profession is that you wont necessarily exercise perfect control over your work. You might be subject to the demands of the court, of partners you work for, or of the funding cycle of your non-profit. However, there are ways to gain more control over your working life, from starting a solo practice to something less drastic such as taking a job at a government agency with more predictable hours and demands. Different people thrive in different types of work environments, so think about what you need. If you crave autonomy and control over your time, BigLaw probably isnt the best choice. How Much InteractionYou Need With Other People Law, on the whole, disproportionally attracts introverted people. If you like to engage with lots of other people on an ongoing basis, its important to look for legal jobs where this is the default. In many cases, lawyers are heads-down in their own offices churning out work. If youd rather be working in a team, or even just going to court regularly, youre going to have to proactively seek these experiences out. What You Like to Do As you go through law schoo l or your early legal career, pay careful attention to the type of day-to-day work you enjoy. Are you happiest writing briefs? Working with clients? Negotiating deals? Planning an oral argument? As a lawyer, youre going to spend a lot of time working, and its important to look at the nitty-gritty of what youll actually be spending time on. Make sure you enjoy the daily work, and youll be much happier as an attorney.