I'm sure you've heard the buzzword 'millenial' floating around your college campus. Well, employers are taking note. They are beginning to shift office policies and new employee orientations to fit the needs of their new entry-level employees.
60 minutes recently aired a great story on the millenial workers:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3486473n&channel=/sections/60minutes/videoplayer3415.shtmlI recently heard a story about a recent graduate who decided two weeks into work that she just didn't like it. So, at lunch one day, she left and never came back. Is this appropriate?Is this respectful? Or, is this becoming the norm?
While it's likely this new employee had other reasons for leaving, it's important to consider workplace politics and protocol because word gets around....quickly.
The best way to get and gain respect in the office is to show compromise. In so many articles, the millenials are valued for their flexibility, motivation, and innovation. At the same time, many of those authors question the dedication, loyalty, and work ethic of this group (that I happen to be a part of).
Here are some tips for those millenials who wish to challenge the social norms:
- Try to stay in your job for at least one year. This will allow you the time to transition through a cycle and it will allow you to network with as many people as possible.
- If you're bored or not feeling challenged enough, ask for more projects or try to come up with your own innovative ideas for improving policies/structures and present them to your supervisor.
- Show up to work on time.
- Avoid facebooking or playing solitaire during work.
- Look for a mentor and ask for honest feedback. If you trust someone enough, you'll be able to take criticism and work towards improving.
Best of luck!
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