Q&A for Millennials

Thousands of millennial employees have enough experience to take on managerial roles, while others are fresh out of college and need guidance in the ways of the working world. If you are just starting out, knowing how to navigate the current job market is crucial. Instead of relying on outdated job-hunting tactics, follow these tips to find a job that matches your skills and interests.

Make connections with people in your industry. In today's job market, a lot of millennial employees find new opportunities by reaching out to people in their networks. If you don't have a strong network of your own, you risk losing out on potentially lucrative opportunities. Build your network by attending events sponsored by industry organizations or your local chamber of commerce. When you meet a new contact, wait until you have a solid relationship before asking for help with your job search.

Practice your interviewing skills until you feel comfortable answering a variety of questions. Ask if someone from your college's career center would be willing to serve as an interviewer for one of your practice sessions. If you have a hard time getting an appointment with someone from the career center, ask a friend or an industry contact to interview you. Have the interviewer ask you open-ended questions that give you the opportunity to practice telling your story.

Use your tech skills to your advantage. Many millennial employees use LinkedIn, online job boards and other Internet-based tools to identify new opportunities and connect with hiring managers. If you decide to use LinkedIn, make sure you update your profile regularly. Include a list of previous employers, a description of your skills and any other information that might be helpful for managers who use the site as a recruiting tool.

Supplement your degree with additional courses or a professional certification. Although English, liberal arts or general studies degrees are valuable, hiring managers may not make the connection between such a degree and a job requiring advanced technical skills. If you are interested in project management, for example, completing courses in project-management fundamentals, resource allocation and budgeting can give you an edge over other candidates.

Present yourself as a well-rounded candidate. In the past, employers frequently provided on-the-job training and career-development opportunities. Unfortunately for millennial employees, these opportunities are now less common. If you hope to move up the career ladder, you need to show employers you are ready to hit the ground running. If a hiring manager thinks you need too much training, another candidate is likely to get the job you want.

Millennial employees can face challenges in getting hired and moving up the career ladder. If you are looking for your first professional job, make sure you practice your interviewing skills, position yourself as a well-rounded candidate and build a strong network of industry contacts.

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