5 things millennials look for in a job

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 03:41:58 +0000

5 things millennials look for in a job Anonymous (not verified)

Less than a third of millennials are engaged in their duties at work. Gallup, an analytics company that focuses on the attitudes and behaviors of people in the workplace, defines employee engagement as individuals that are “emotionally and behaviorally connected to their job and company”. Gallup reports that majority of the millennial workforce is checked out when doing their work, meaning they don’t put energy or passion into their job duties. But what has changed and what do millennials want in a job and career? Here are some interesting findings from the report.

1. They value purpose over paychecks

Millennials are more likely to take a job with a lower pay if they believe that this position gives them a sense of meaning. Although pay should be fair and appropriate for the job duties, this isn’t their main motivating factor. Having a strong company brand and culture helps attract millennials and will keep them engaged.

2. They want skill development

A job that helps cultivate, develop, and grow skillset drives this generation. Millennials are more apt to accept a job that they don’t necessarily like if they believe it will allow them to enhance their skills.

3. They want a coach, not a boss

Instead of a taskmaster, millennials want their managers to serve a more supportive and developmental role. Be mindful in how you delegate tasks and deliver feedback, and be sure to view your millennial employees as an ever-evolving asset, rather than a cog in the machine.

4. Regular feedback is crucial

Millennials need to know where they stand in an employer’s eyes.Gone are the days where all feedback was neatly packaged and delivered in an annual review. Reviews should still happen, but feeding back criticisms and praise in real time to millennials will ensure they stay motivated and engaged.

5. Work-Life cohesion

Instead of having two separate lives – one for work and one outside of work – this generation believes that their job isn’t just a career, it’s their life, too. In order to have a fulfilling life, millennials need positions that seamlessly integrate into their personal schedules.

What does this mean for leaders and management? The challenge is two-fold: first, they need to understand how to attract millennial workers and next, they need to understand how to retain their existing millennial employees. Visit our management advice section for further insights on how to create a positive culture and develop an appropriate management style to become this generation’s employer of choice.

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How to perform well in a Skype interview

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 07:31:56 +0000

How to perform well in a Skype interview Anonymous (not verified)

The technology may be more advanced in a Skype interview, but the principles of interview etiquette remain unchanged. Read our job interview tips to brush up on the basics, and then note these tips to nail an interview on Skype.

Check the technology

Is your PC running well? Is your internet connection strong? Check everything is working well – the last thing you want is to have a signal failure mid-interview with the company of your dreams. It’s worth plugging your PC in via Ethernet to minimise the risk of signal dropping out. If you’re on a laptop, plug in a power cable or make sure it’s fully charged. How about your phone? Is it on silent? A ringing phone mid-interview is a distraction that’s easy to avoid.

Wait for your turn to speak

Have you ever noticed the slight lag on some Skype calls? That’s usually caused by low signal strength on either end, and can lead to awkward moments as each person tries to speak over the other. To help the conversation flow smoothly, wait a beat longer than you usually would before you speak – otherwise your interviewer might not have finished their sentence.

Look at the camera

It may feel strange staring at the little dot of your webcam, however you will come across as more engaged with the interviewer. Looking into the camera ensures the person conducting the interview feels like you’re making eye contact. On the flipside, it’s easy to get caught up staring at your own reflection on the screen which can make you seem aloof. If seeing yourself is going to be a distraction, try covering up your image with a sticky note.

Think about your surroundings

The key is to make your home, or wherever you’re conducting the interview, appear as professional as possible. That means setting yourself up in a room free of clutter. You don’t want a bunch of family photos or your favourite artwork distracting the interviewer – keep a clear background to keep the focus on you. Additionally, test out different lighting options until you find the one that works best. It looks better when you’re facing a light source – if the light is behind you, you’ll be hidden in shadow.

Minimise interruption

Turning your phone on silent is just the beginning – think about anything else that could distract you during your interview. Shut down any internet tabs that might grab your attention and turn off email alerts. If you live with other people, make sure they know not to disturb you, and to be quiet. If you have a noisy pet, move it to another room.

Update your Skype profile

If your Skype username is unprofessional your interview could be off to a bad start from the beginning. Bear in mind that everything you say and do in an interview is being used to build up a picture of who you are, so if you must keep your badboi88 Skype handle, then set up a separate account for professional use. Also ensure your profile photo is a professional headshot.

Have a backup

Do you have contact details for your interviewer? These are essential in case of any technological mishaps. An added bonus is that you have an email address to send a polite follow up and thank you message a few days after your interview. Following the initial interview, ensure all communication with your interviewer is via email and phone – don’t send a follow up message via Instant Messaging.

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