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When you think of the word ‘Graduate’, what pops into your head?
For many, negative descriptions such as egotistic, demanding and lazy come to mind. However, we build up stereotype that creates undesirable perceptions of the younger generation, especially when concerning the world of work! So, we should review our opinion about Graduates. If this is you, here’s why you need to take them more seriously, integrate them into your workplace, and ultimately, view the generation in a more positive light.
There’s no two ways about it, baby boomers are leaving the workforce and the average 20-year-old is embarking on a 40-plus-year career. A wise business leader would understand this, and welcome younger, less experienced workers into the company, giving them the opportunity to learn a wealth of knowledge from the senior workforce. With their academic mind straight out of university, they will have the ambition to learn. Not only will this benefit them, it will provide a level of consistency and security for your business moving forward – It’s a no-brainer!
We now live in a visionary world, and Graduates know exactly how to grasp this. Graduates are positive, goal-driven and creative individuals who dream big for both personal and professional fulfilment. They aren’t scared to tell the world their goals – unlike other generations. Although this is perceived as a negative trait, sharing your goals is known to increase your likelihood to achieve. Surely, you’d like to attract and increase your chances of success? Read more on goal sharing.
Do you know what’s trending today on the World Wide Web? (Probably not)… Well, I guarantee that most Graduates could reel off this week’s online downlow, and this isn’t surprising. They have grown up surrounded by and have fully embraced technological advancements, meaning they have a natural competitive advantage embedded in their skills.
With the online movement increasing and making its way into most industries, younger, on-trend candidates should be the exact type of individuals companies are looking to bring into the mix.
Of course, Graduates are known for their partygoing lifestyle, but they are also extremely focused on their careers. They may not be the freshest in the office at 9 a.m. on a Monday morning, but they will work around the clock to finish their to-do list to please you. The working environment is changing, and our youngsters fit the bill. They are adaptable, collaborative, can work on the go and have fresh perspectives, along with holding multiple transferable skills to put forward – If that isn’t a selling point, I don’t know what is.
Now I can understand why this may be a little off-putting for hierarchical, micro-managed companies, but for many, it should be a breath of fresh air. Collaborating with individuals who have an entrepreneurial mindset, and know exactly what they want out of their career and how they will go about this is extremely motivating. Here are some examples of successful young entrepreneurs who have made their mark in their industry and gone against the negative stigma attached to their generation.
Going to a 9-5 job, clocking out and switching off is long gone, and Graduates want to embrace this. They want to be fully involved with the company they work for, be included in any decisions made and have a socially integrated working culture. As more and more companies adopt this movement, bringing on this type of mentality can result in long-term company loyalty – The greatest way to support and retain the best talent!
Although the above won’t describe every single Graduate on the planet, there is a large percentage who are being discriminated against and put into a generalised category. The younger generation has countless positive characteristics that will benefit companies if they take the leap, go against the grain and incorporate Graduates into their workforce. From personal experience of collaborations, I can vouch for our youngsters and their hunger to succeed. If you take anything away from this blog, I hope it’s to get out there and support those 20-something-year-olds!
If you’re a company looking for someone who fits the above, email Klickstarters at [email protected] and we will help you find your next team member!
Source: Hollerings.
