Public opinion of Gen Y employees often paints the portrait of an entitled, high maintenance, and hyperactive employee who can’t focus on one task long enough to get it done. Many employers hesitate to hire Gen Y employees because of their different type of work ethic. However, managers should take the time to adjust their management style to this new crop of talent in order to capitalize on their skills.
Gen Y employees are multitaskers. The increased use of technology in day-to-day life has taught Gen Y to balance a variety of forms of communication. Older employees who focus more on a single task at a time should realize that Gen Y employees can work efficiently through multitasking, even if they may seem distracted.
Gen Y employees are used to change. Coming out of college, they don’t expect to work at one company their whole lives, or even stay in just one career. They are interested in exploring new interests and trying out new ideas. This means they’ll be quick to adapt to changes at your company.
Gen Y employees bring fresh ideas. Creativity is an important aspect of their education and they plan on using it. Also, Gen Y employees have grown up in the digital age and using technology has become second nature. Companies interested in expanding virtually, whether it be through social networking sites or a more extensive website, should capitalize on the skills of their Gen Y employees.
So the next time that a Gen Y candidate is under consideration for a position at your company, make sure to think of the benefits their young expertise can bring.
What experiences have you had with your Gen Y employees?
