Based on two major research studies by DeVry University's Career Advisory Board, this presentation identifies where candidates are rocking the job search, and where they're coming up short.
Career and Job Search Trends for Millennials and Gen X-ers
1. Career and Job Search Trends for
Millennials and Gen X-ers
Presented by Alexandra Levit
Co-chair, Career Advisory Board
2. How are young professionals different
from all other professionals?
3. What is a Millennial?
• Generation X
(1964-79)
• Early Millennials
(1980-86)
• Late Millennials
(1987-95)
4. Millennials and Leadership
• Millennials aren’t the
entry-level kids anymore.
• As of 2014, half of global
millennial professionals
were leaders!
• 1/3 do not feel ready.
5. Job Preparedness Research
(2016, 5th year)
• 500 U.S.-based hiring managers.
• Measures gaps between what hiring managers are
looking for and what candidates are bringing to the
table.
• 23 skills assessed:
Integrity Accountability
Work ethic Self-motivation
Time management Verbal communication
Written communication Interpersonal skills
Problem solving Assimilation of new information
Adaptability Decision making
Technology skills Analytical skills
Ability to work in a matrixed environment Innovation
Strategic perspective Presentation skills
Networking skills Real world work experience
Business acumen Risk taking
Global competence
6. • Hiring managers are
unrealistic.
• Character trumps
skill.
• Largest skill gaps
are at the senior-
level.
7. • Narrowing skills gap at entry and mid-levels.
• Increase toward commonality.
• Unprepared career changers.
9. Successful Job Seekers Research
(2015)
• Hiring managers hold out for the perfect
candidate and few job seekers fit the bill.
• What are those who are immediately
successful doing right?
• Successful job seekers TARGET:
• 51% of active job seekers applied to five or
fewer positions and 66% applied to 10 or
fewer.
• 90% wanted to be at least 75% qualified
before applying. 41% wanted to be at least
90% qualified before applying.
10. Successful job seekers CUSTOMIZE:
• Intelligence gathering: 67% reached out to the
contact person and 32% reached out to their
network to get inside info.
• 84% created or updated their resume for each
opportunity.
11. Successful job seekers
STAY ON TOP OF IT:
• 73% kept files on each
opportunity, 64% stuck
to a weekly to do list.
• 64% followed up at least
once.
• They don’t waste time!
47% searched 1-3 hours
a day, and 45% spent
less than an hour each
day.
12. Successful job seekers ARE
REALISTIC:
• Most accepted jobs that
were superior in only a
few ways (role, industry,
company, geographic
location).
• Only 21% felt they
received an excellent
offer, 61% thought the
offer was good enough,
and 19% thought the
offer was not good, but
they wanted the work.
13. • Critical Success Factors:
Communicating what they
could offer the company
(28%), willingness to be
flexible (21%), marketable
skills (20%).
• Critical Success Traits:
Willingness to learn (67%),
adaptability (63%), and
confidence (58%).
• Biggest surprise? Very
negligible age differences!
14. Top 6 Hot Trends
• Mobile-optimized job ID and application
• Passive talent community participation
• Microcredentials via MOOCs fill ed gaps
• In person presentations
• Growing entrepreneurial desire
• Mandatory desires: flexwork, cognitive
inclusion