It can be difficult to find a job that pays well and meets the need for work-life balance. Not only that, but it can be difficult to find a stable job that will allow the job seeker to use relevant skills and Gain a sense of accomplishment.
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Millennials, who make up the largest age group in the American workforce, face these predicaments more than any other generation.
said Alice Rush, MA, a certified career counselor and career counselor at University of Phoenix.
This is especially true with the prevalence of remote work.
“When you’re looking for a remote job, you’re competing against hundreds and thousands of people across the United States or even globally,” Rush said. “[There are] There are thousands more applicants than there would have been to deal with baby boomers locally in one geographic area.”
Although finding a job as a millennial can be difficult, there are ways to make it easier. One such method is to learn the basic terms that hiring managers usually use. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, as well as by understanding what it is Unique to millennial job seekersYou can increase your chances of finding the right job for you.
ATS
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software used by many employers to quickly identify, screen, and resume potential candidates. For the most part, millennials are experienced but haven’t made it to high profile positions. For this reason, they often have to go through an ATS candidate before an interview.
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“The problem is that competition for entry-level jobs or mid-level jobs is getting tougher,” said Nathan Bruner, CEO of Salary. “To reduce the pool of candidates, recruiters use a filter algorithm that checks a candidate’s resume against the job description.” That is, ATS.
It’s a good idea to improve your CV for an ATS candidate. This includes using keywords from the job description on your resume.
“For a fair chance of getting the job,” Bruner said, “I highly recommend millennials customize their resume using the relevant keywords mentioned in the job description.”
Rush also emphasized this by saying, “Targeting your resume and matching your skills to the job requirements is imperative to increase the likelihood of being asked for a job interview.”
If your resume can’t pass the ATS filter, it may never be seen by the human eye.
Work life balance
Work-life balance can mean different things to different people. For some, it is the reduction of work-related stress. For others, it is the balance between time a person spends working and time spent living a fulfilling life outside the office. Knowing what kind of work-life balance you need can go a long way to achieving job satisfaction.
Not all jobs offer a good work-life balance. Some employers may mandate overtime or expect employees to do overtime—sometimes without pay. But with millennials and Gen Z job seekers beginning to replace older generations, it’s time for employers to make a change.
When asked about this, dr. Danielle Kelfas, MD, medical writer Hospital Employment: The Physician and Healthcare Jobs Councilweighing in on changes in the medical industry.
“According to a survey from the American Nurses Foundation and Jocelyn Insight, Gen Z and millennial nurses have specific desires when it comes to their workplace environment,” said Kelfas. “For example, they place a high value on work-life balance, a flexible schedule and opportunities for professional development. Healthcare employers looking to attract and retain millennial and Gen Z professionals may need to offer these types of benefits and amenities.”
This is true even for those who are not pursuing a career in the medical profession. Younger job candidates tend to look for jobs that reflect their interests and desires. So, sooner or later, companies looking to hire these job seekers will need to learn how to adapt to their needs.
Hybrid workplace
Home business has gained a lot of momentum in recent years. In fact, nearly 18% of people living in areas with a population of 65,000 or more worked from home in 2024. That was triple the number it was just two years ago.
Now, many employers offer hybrid workplaces – that is, the ability to work from home and in the office. For many, this provides more flexibility and a better work-life balance.
But the term “hybrid workplace” may not have the same meaning for all employers.
“More and more companies are adjusting to spending more time in the office, so if you’re applying for a hybrid job hoping to spend most of the time at home, you have to be prepared in case that changes,” said Ryan Miller, director of Client Success at Employment promotion.
If you’re interested in hybrid work, it’s important to know how each company defines it. It’s also a good idea to know if the company is planning to change its business model at any time.
“Companies have no obligations to maintain their current office/virtual schedule,” Miller added.
networks
Building a professional network can be vital to helping job-seeking millennials find work, especially in an increasingly digital world. In some cases, it may be more important than having a perfect resume.
“We know that a very small percentage of applicants who apply online are asked for an interview,” Rush said. Most of the time invested in job search should be put on networking. As the saying goes, ‘network or don’t work’.
Many millennials shy away from networking, but learning how to do so effectively can go a long way toward building a profitable career.
Rush said, “Social science research indicates that personal human contact leads to a greater likelihood of deeper connection and bonding responses than those superficial interactions via email or text messaging.”
Navigation between jobs and rewards
Job hopping, which is basically moving from one job to another, has become more prevalent in modern times. This is because many job seekers are always looking for better pay and benefits. For some people, job hopping can lead to better career prospects.
“If you accept a new offer with a company, you should be wary of a counter-offer from your current employer,” said Miller. “Employers can promise you the world if you stay with your current company, but accepting them can put a target on your current employer’s back.”
Before accepting a counter offer to stay, consider the benefits and drawbacks.
“Knowing that you’re not a long-term investor/interested in the company brings your loyalty to the company in question and can open you up for reassignment or maybe even get you in line the next time the company is faced with a potential layoff,” Miller said. In addition, counter actors often will not address all of your issues/concerns with the company.
If you decide to leave your company, try to do it well. This can help you maintain some of those important professional connections and potentially provide you with a better opportunity in the future.
Trade unions and professional affiliations
When searching for a job, see if the company or employer you’re interested in is part of a professional association or affiliation. If so, this may increase your chances of getting an interview.
In the past, “the job applicant was able to apply in person and have the receptionist carry your resume to the hiring manager,” Rush said. “Now for millennials — they need to get creative. They need to use their affiliation, their alumni from where they went to school, or their professional association and have them hand your resume to the hiring manager.”
There are several ways to do this. For example, you can use LinkedIn to find connections from a school or company. Or you can do a quick search online to find professional associations based on your major or area of interest.
“From this search list, you can then find a local chapter in your area of work clubs and personal connection groups,” Rush said.
job portfolio
In many ways, a portfolio is similar to a resume. Shows your abilities, skills and experience. Depending on your industry, it may be a good idea to have an online portfolio or a website that you can direct recruiters or employers to. This can give them a better idea of what you can do compared to a resume.
Follow-up
Once you’ve had an interview, it’s important to follow up. Even if you don’t know the outcome yet, sending a polite thank-you can improve your chances of getting another interview, or even a job.
When you follow up, keep it short and sweet. Try to send it the same day or the day after you meet. And it doesn’t hurt to remind the recipient of who you are and what you discussed.
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This article originally appeared GOBankingRates.com: 8 job search terms millennials should know