5 Best Types of Career Advice for Millennials

By Sohail

The millennial generation has arrived, and they contribute a massive chunk of the workforce. The irony is that money is not the only motivator for them; rather they are more keen to make a difference. Unlike their predecessors, millennials are more analytical and critical; they want to know the answer for what and why; settling down for something which is not comprehendible is not acceptable to them anymore.

Before heading further and advising the millennial, let’s understand who are millennial and what’s important for them. The Millennial Generation or Gen Y are those who are in the age group of 18-26. This generation can also be called as the internet age – they are fast, pragmatic, dynamic and vulnerable; hence, their career should also be based on a similar theme. The career advice has to be in sync with their opinion, choices, and interests.

The baby boomers are about to retire and the time has come that a new set of opportunities has to be embraced by them. The transition from school and college into the working professional world demands 3Ps: Perseverance, Patience, and Persistence.

Opt for a good career because the decision you make today will lay the foundation stone for your future. There are times when you land up in an entirely different industry irrespective of the fact that you have gained academic qualification in a complete other hierarchy. But today the professional world demands qualities which are not taught in the books. They are the cognitive skills, ability to handle the stress and work for the deadlines without compromising on the quality of work. So, here I have compiled a list of 5 best pieces of career advice that will help you soar to heights of success and skyrocket your productivity:

Build your social capital – It is the form of mutual reliance and trust. This drastically impacts the efficiency of work. Remember, collectively you are smarter. Social capital grows when you spend time together. Discussing and arguing helps in boosting creativity and also helps in the development of new ideas which eventually benefit both the employee and the employers. The social capital feature has to be imbibed by both, the employer and the employee, as they mutually benefit each other.
Don’t just take a job that doesn’t entice you – If you are opting for a job just to pay your bills, you might fetch a job that will help you make your ends meet but will not help you satiate your passion for work. Doing a job which is your passion will help you grow both professionally and personally. Furthermore, no company is willing to have an employee who is there just to make money; now companies want employees who are passionate about their work and come up with the new idea, and this is only possible if you are excited to work. Remember, life is too short to settle for something which doesn’t excite you and your career should not be one of them.
Try to make your first impression an eternal one – There’s an age-old adage, “The first impression is the last impression.” If you are newly entering your job, then my friend, you should recite these lines every day. You need to stand out from the league of commoners. If you can shine in the eyes of your employer, you will be successfully able to set a strong underpinning for your future. You are the heir of the future, and people of your generation want a quick result; and for that, you should be fast, responsive and innovative. This creates an everlasting impact in the eyes of your employer.
Transparency is the key – The most common mistake that many of us do while working is hesitance to seek help. You are in a new job, and there is a long way to go. There is no harm being open about your weakness; ask for help from your colleague or mentor, this will help you finish your task better and faster.
Focus on building your personal brand – I am not asking you to be unethical, but working on building your brand by participating on social media, blogging, and presenting your ideas is a good way to show your expertise and highlight your name in the eyes of your employer. This also reflects that you have skills which are more than your certificates and academic qualifications.

The career advice offered here has been mentioned taking into account the area of interest and the problems millennials face when they start their professional life. We sincerely hope that this will help in building a stable and prosperous future.