Millennials are common subjects on TV shows, articles, researches and magazines because they are often stereotyped as young, impatient, assertive and rebellious individuals which made the world worried, especially the working industry because they will surely be managing most companies by 2025.  But is that really true? 

I came from the millenial era too, if we are going to base the years as what Wikipedia stated, early 1980's to early 2000 covers the millennial era. But based on my observation, I think there is still much difference between 1980-1990's babies and the year 2000 babies. But let's not deal on that anymore because this post is not about that. 

I was scanning over Facebook Job hiring groups lately and it came to me that there are a lot of job opportunities available on that social media site alone and yet there are quite a number of unemployed. Specifically, I was wondering why Millenials are having a hard time looking for a job. 

Madaming available na trabaho hindi lang sa Facebook. May mga job portals din gaya ng Jobstreet, Bestjobs, Careerjet, Indeed, Pinoyjobs, etc. na nag-ooffer din ng mga trabaho sa iba't ibang kumpanya. Mayroon ding inooffer na opportunities ang local government thru PESO offices. Pero bakit hindi pa din makahanap agad ng trabaho ang isang millennial/fresh grad?

1. No Experience

Employers often prefer applicants with relevant work experiences because they are much convenient to work with - lesser training needed and more mature work attitude. But how would a millennial gain work experience if all companies would choose experienced applicants over them? I think companies are also at fault here. Let's give these generation a try. Do not conclude yet because their resume states that they do not have any work experience yet. Let us give them chance and teach them well. 

2. Strong stereotype against Millennials

Because social media had already spread negative things about them, companies also stereotyped the millennials as "isip bata, tamad, maikli ang pasensya, maarte, mareklamo, mahirap pasunurin". Companies are doubtful to hire millennials because they are affected with such stereotypes. I myself as an HR, have proven that these stereotypes are true to some of the millennial applicants I have encountered on interviews which made me decline their applications. But honestly, there are few great minds within them. Keep in mind that these are just stereotypes, meaning they are just assumptions.

3. Overwhelming opportunities 

Millennials might be having a hard time focusing on looking for a job because they are bombarded with different opportunities in front of them. Minsan nga mas mabenta pa sa kanila un mga bagay that are pushing them to follow what they love like being an IG influencer, traveling, maging famous sa Snapchat or Tik Tok, or maging sikat na YouTube Vlogger rather than looking for a legit stable job. Because of what the internet offers them they cannot choose which one to prioritized. Kumbaga madalas out-of-focus sila. Not only yung mga millennials na naghahanap ng work, even those who are already employed, I think they have higher tendency na madistract sa trabaho at magfocus sa ibang bagay because of the effect of internet on them. 

4. Lack of Loyalty

Again, I am not generalizing here but most of the millennials have lower chance to build loyalty on the company because they know or they believe that there are other opportunities out there or that they deserve a better salary and a better company than what they have now. They have this self-entitlement that they are way better than the others. Maswerte na yung makalagpas sila ng isang taon sa trabaho. Here comes again the stereotype that they are impatient, because they are. I have witnessed this happen too. They might have build this impatient attitude because they are born in the age where technology is blooming. Everything that you need can be done in an instant. You cannot blame them. Hindi sila sanay sa matagalan. They are not afraid of changing jobs and just move on. 

5. Pampered life

Since they are born within the technology age, they have most things within their reach. If they want to learn to play the guitar they will just go to YouTube. If they want to get photography inspirations they can check Pinterest. If they want to learn more about the life of the celebrity they look up to they will just follow them on Facebook or Instagram. If they want the world to know their thoughts and opinions they just have to tweet it with a hashtag on Twitter. If they need to go shopping they could do it on Amazon, Shopify, Lazada or Shoppee. It's like the internet can do anything for them, they just need to ask. Which in effect, most millennials nasanay sa pampered life, madali ang mga bagay para sa kanila. So, if they encounter just a little difficulty in applying for a job they would easily give up. Kapag umuulan, kapag hindi nagreply yung dapat kasama nila sa interview, kapag traffic o kapag mainit ang panahon siguradong hindi na yan pupunta sa interview. Same while working, if they are faced with too much work load, lots of overtimes and too much work issues they quit easily. They want a work where they can be free. They can be retained if they feel there is a balance between work and life. 

6. Idealistic vs Realistic

Most millennials are so idealistic. They are after the comfort not the essence. They prefer Instagram worthy offices than an old office where the can learn more. They prefer high salaries than starting on a minimal salary to gain understanding on how to climb the professional ladder. They think they are worth the high salary even if they do not have enough skills yet. There is nothing wrong with having high confidence or being idealistic but you have to balance your competence with it too. Companies are realistic. They pay what they get from the employees. If you want a high salary you have to work for it from the bottom. You should have a good skill set, knowledge, experience and personality to be worth their pay. That is how it works. Unless you want instant money, work on a BPO company instead. 

7. Leisure time is prioritized

Millennials are seldomly seen stressed maybe because they ensure that they always have a Me-time. They grew up believing that You-Only-Live-Once so make the most of it. They like adventures and they are more spontaneous when it comes to what they want to do with their life. So, this becomes an issue for the HR people. Millennials usually ask for vacation leaves to explore and treat themselves.  They want to travel locally or abroad, reunite with family or friends, eat on an expensive resto, explore on a local museum, attend craft workshops, or just attend a birthday party rather than deal with a report that is due the following day. 

8. They compare

Millennials have the tendency to compare themselves to their fellow millennials. Because of social media, one's self-esteem is easily affected. And since they are into social media most of the time, comparison cannot be avoided. Most of the time that is also preventing them from applying for a job. At work, it is a common scenario that a millennial would assertively ask an HR or her supervisor why her co-workers receive the same salary as her but her job is much more difficult. 

9. Not yet ready
Lastly, millennials are often disapproved by hiring managers because they come to the interview unprepared. While everything is available on the web, they do not have time to read deeper and prepare themselves for a job interview. As an applicant, make sure to read the background of the company you want to work with. Prepare your attire and read tips or prepare a sample interview questions which you expect to be asked and answer them. You should also research the common job description on the position you are applying for so you will not come to an interview naive. 

What do you think? Are my thoughts right? 

I think the Eight Reasons Why a Millennial is having a Hard Time to Gain a Job that I listed gave you a clearer picture why employers or companies are double-thinking about your applications. Now, after reading this I am challenging you to prove them wrong. Not in a negative way but prove them through your actions. Make sure that during the interview you can convince them that what I stated above is not applicable to you and you are different from the millennials that most people know. 

Good luck on your job hunting! Share your thoughts below. I want to hear from you guys!