This generation includes those born between 1981-1996— now in their early-twenties to mid-thirties— and is often thought of as an overly confident, demanding, yet lazy group of job hunters, according to Entrepreneur.
But while Millennials catch a bad rep, there’s a number of reasons employer’s love hiring these young workers, including their open-mindness, passion and deep education.
Many also have a huge interest in self-growth, which may be how you found this article. Discover these six cliche job interview mistakes of your generation and land the career you want, today.
Take a look at your Facebook posts, scroll through your Insta and check your Tweets. Have you used profanity in text or in your hashtags, posted a picture of you holding alcohol or smoking, or posed in a physically revealing way? More and more recruiters and hiring managers are tossing out applications based on what they find on your social media profiles.
While every company is different— one may not mind you posting your Strawberry Daiquiri from your trip to Hawaii, or saying “damn” in a post— it’s wise to be mindful of others opinions’ online and to maintain a professional demeanor, beyond only your LinkedIn profile.
In the same way that managers are looking at your social media account for inappropriate posts, they’re also looking to see the “real” you online. One of the biggest job interview mistakes Millennials make is saying one thing on their resume, while the truth is publicly displayed elsewhere, shares Hays regional director, from her own hiring experience.
For example, if you claim to have a Bachelor's degree on your resume, but your Facebook page says you only went to community college, it may cause the recruiter to hesitate. Which is true? Or, if you tell the interviewer that you left your last job because you were so busy you barely had time to breathe, but they see you’ve been actively Tweeting during office hours, they might call your bluff. Be sure you’re being 100% honest and that your profiles are actively updated with accurate information while applying and interviewing for a new job.
First impressions matter when interviewing for a new job— and they matter a lot. While we’ve all had legitimate reasons for being late, what are the chances your car wouldn’t start or that your family member was rushed to the hospital? Making an excuse for your tardiness only makes you look inauthentic and can demonstrate an inability to own responsibility for your mistakes.
Being late also can make you appear unreliable and disorganized, two things no hiring manager wants in a candidate. Nowadays, even arriving on time or just a minute or two tardy can feel rushed. Instead, aim to arrive 15 minutes prior to your job interview to get settled and show your would-be manager that you respect and value their time.
While some say Millennial’s blunt directness is endearing, sometimes this generation’s oversharing can come off as crass. If when asked why you left a previous job, you immediately sling dirt at your ex-employer, that can be off-putting.
As Inc.com so wisely asserts, talking poorly about someone often makes you look bad, more so than the person you are bad-mouthing. When smashing another, you risk coming as critical, unable to work well with others or lacking the ability to take criticism. And, if you get excitable or angry, show the interviewer warning signs of an attitude problem. If you had issues with a previous employer, remain professional when explaining the rift. This is a great opportunity to show your would-be employer your strong values or how you overcame a challenge.
There’s a time and a place for slang, but generally, a job interview is not it. While saying phrases like “swoll” or abbreviating/shortening words might seem “cas’ chic,” you often sound too casual in this environment, or even unprofessional. Watch out too for filler words such as “like” and fluffy adverbs that can be like totally distracting and may sound like so immature.
As far as choosing your outfit for the interview, ask the hiring manager beforehand what the dress code at the office is. If it’s business professional, you don’t want to show up in jeans and a button-up, when ties or blouses are the norm. Our advice, always dress a little nicer than you think is necessary. The sharper you look, the better.
There’s a difference between being proud of your accomplishments and straight up gloating. In fear of underselling themselves or in desperate need to compete with others with more experience, some Millennials go overboard. Be mindful to not rave excessively about your hard work or why you deserved more money/acknowledgment/a promotion at your last job.
Those who neglect to share credit for their success, exclude their failures or reach too ambitiously risk coming off as self-absorbed or even (ironically) as undeserving. Instead, be humble. If you have indeed moved mountains, come to your interview with data and proof to support your claims— but always remember to acknowledge those who helped you reach your goals along the way.
As a Millennial, you’re likely all about growth! Embrace this advice and use some of your nontraditional interview tricks to land your dream job, quickly.
One way that your generation stands apart is by keeping up with the newest technology. Ditch the conventional job search sites and use our GoGig career finder instead.
Simply sign up and take 2 minutes to complete your free GoGig profile today. It’s quick and easy, and we’ll match you with employers based on your personality—not just your experience— to help you find a company with a great culture fit.