Five Things Every Younger Worker Needs To Know

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Ann Clifford from Safari Solutions sent me this great article called 5 Things Every Young Worker Needs to Know. Since I work with young professionals as well as businesses, I wanted to put in my take on each of the five:

1. Media reports may not be relevant to you: Yes, if you’re trying to get into some of the companies that have had major lay-offs, perhaps it’s time to reconsider. There are plenty of businesses out there, though they may be smaller companies, which will need help in sales and other areas. The key is being open to it… and yes, the mass media does tend to over-report bad news, so don’t let it affect your attitude toward looking for employment. Bottom line, there are jobs out there!

2. You’re not expected to have it all figured out: When you’re young, it can be hard to know what you want to do exactly. That is the beauty of internships. It is a trial run for both the intern AND the company to see if there is a fit. The article also explains that the ultimate goal for workers in their 20s is self-knowledge. Certainly look to see what you’re good at and explore your options. I absolutely concur.

3. Personal branding should begin early: I think this one is brilliant. I can’t think of a better example of personal branding than SI’s own Kyle Lacy. I think Kyle’s style and brand as well as his commitment to social media and marketing is a perfect example of how young professionals could embrace who they are and how it could work for them. However, with that comes responsibility, so it would be wise to keep check on what you have on your Facebook and Myspace because employers DO check them out. These tools are the foundation of personal brand even though users may not realize it. Just be aware.

4. Passion counts in this market: I love this one too. When Bob Daughtery, the U.S recruiting leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers, says to never go into something halfheartedly, he is on the money. A company does not want, nor will not hire someone who just “needs some work.” If you want a position, do the research necessary, be prepared with questions for the interview, and believe in the position. If you don’t, there will be someone out there that will, thus proving they would be a better fit.

5. Companies will look at your relationship skills: I think relationship skills are huge in every area of business, period. Here at Slingshot, it is one of the first things I look for when I am interviewing. I tailor my interview questions around relational areas. Companies are looking for individuals who will make the most of team-work and who aren’t afraid to asked questions if they are unclear. Daughtery looks at professor relationships and colleague inspiration. What are you doing to help create?

I encourage all the young workers out there to not despair as they are hitting the job market. Just work smart, and you’ll find yourself moving along to a great company.