I've lost count of the number of people who have spoken to me in both bewilderment and frustration about their young and seemingly unimpressed workers. Entitlement, it seems, is the attitude they struggle most with because they find it difficult to motivate those who seem to believe that they are only there to do the aspects of a role that they want to do and that the employer should simply be grateful that they have chosen to work for them. So, what is it that causes this attitude of entitlement and apathetic behaviour amongst some Millennials? Many blame their upbringing. Given too much choice, freedom and living without consequence are some of the reasons I have heard. I have been shocked by the attitude of some of the parents I know towards their children who have simply paid off high levels of debt as if they were handing out some spare change for some sweets. Their children do not learn from irresponsibility's such as these, they simply take it for granted that the bank of Mum and Dad will consistently pay out. I differ slightly from some of the other parents I know. A strong sense of responsibility was installed into me from an early age and I have engrained this mentality into my own children. As an example, they are not bailed out without consequence because they have not been good with their money. In fact, they are not bailed out at all because they have a strong sense of value and respect when it comes to how they earn and spend their money. Some of the research that has been carried out on Millennials, also known as Generation Y (those born between 1980 and 2000), suggests that they are loyal, possess a strong work ethic and crave a steady career path within a supportive and team oriented environment. The research also suggests that Millennials place an emphasis on producing meaningful work, finding a creative outlet, have a preference for immediate feedback, take personal responsibility in order to make the most of what they do and are generally unsatisfied with remaining for a long period of time at the same job. Some employers are concerned that Millennials have too great an expectation from their workplaces and believe that they will switch jobs frequently in their quest to find the ideal environment. So what are the challenges for an employer in the world of recruitment? Finding a Millennial who wants to do recruitment as a career rather than an experiment is one thing, but then keeping them engaged and focused in such a competitive and turbulent environment is another. As someone who shares my work space with Millennials, the research observations seem accurate in the majority of cases. As a parent with one Millennial in full-time employment I recognise the loyalty they show to their employer, and their strong work ethic. Whilst a supportive and team oriented environment certainly seems important to them, I would question whether a steady career path is really that important to them right now given that one of their main motivations is to generate the funds needed to support their thousand mile an hour social life. The slightly older Millennials I work with are different. All have a sense of purpose and ambition, and take full responsibility for their own future. Because failure is not an option given that recruitment allows them to earn the money that they must have to fulfil realistic goals, they perceive any training or form of support as essential to their ongoing success in the industry, embrace it, and then apply suggestions immediately and with great effect. The result? Engaged, determined, tenacious and happy people working towards a common goal and doing a great job in recruitment. Why do Millennial's have such a stigma attached to them? Are they born with some of the attitudes they display, or should their parents take a more responsible approach to their upbringing?
Starting out in recruitment is nothing short of a whirlwind and choosing to delve into the world of IT certainly made my new career a more challenging prospect; I was showered with new terminologies. Everyday, I would read about different types of softwares, hardware's, job roles and processes until I had articles coming out of my ears; if nothing else, trying to keep up with the influx of this previously unexplored world was enough to keep me entertained for a few weeks.
However, as the days rolled by and I learnt how to pronounce 'Devops' properly, I begun to see the bigger picture. Behind our favourite shoe shops, restaurant chains and car brands there are hundreds of what I used to naively label 'IT guys' working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that we don't have to take time out of our days to moan about website glitches and slow computers.
The umbrella term of 'IT guys' is one I'll never use again, as the complexity of these roles is immense; from the initial planning stage to the implementation of a project, the fate of every click we make on our computers is in the hands of these people.
Although there is a huge supply for these infrastructure magicians, there is also a never-ending demand for qualified and experienced contractors.
This is where the art of recruitment is to be learnt, I have to be smart in my decisions and ensure that the relationships I built and continue to build with my clients have depth to them and are more than just a superficial, tick box process. In ensuring that I understand the preferences and specifications my clients have, I can provide them with great contractors that get the job done efficiently and cost effectively.
Anybody can be a recruiter but in order to be an excellent recruiter the ability to be a matchmaker must be present. It's never as simple as it initially seems as the process is so multi-faceted. You need to consider the budget, the timing, skill-set, location and the list goes on (extensively)....
With the support of our management team it's becoming increasingly easier to help build these connections and develop our business into a global success. That's not to say it's going to be easy, the journey is fuelled by people, and the unpredictability of who you will speak to next is what makes my role so fitting to me. I know I can talk but conversing with such a variety of people definitely tests myself and my resilience; but what's a few rejections when you find yourself growing your own little business from your desk? That's the empowering thing about working in recruitment and especially for Brookwood, you oversee your success, but supported by others that want to see you do well.
Women with hard hats - a female perspective on the construction industry
The common view of the construction industry, is that it's mainly lads in hard hats. Although it's true it's a male dominated sector, there's more to it than that.
It's a industry with a major network, where everyone knows everyone. If somebody moves to another company, or your name is associated with good or bad work, people will know about it. I've had a successful placement know the people coming in for interviews. Therefore the reputation is key. Employers look for different things depending on their own and the company's values, but seeking longevity in a candidate's roles is common, they want to see dedication.
When it comes to women in construction, there is far too few and the likelihood is you're already known. It does depend which area of construction you are in (I see more female architects than I do quantity surveyors). There is a common misconception that you have to act masculine to succeed in construction. As in any industry people can tell if you aren't being authentic, although it must be said having a sense of humour helps.
More people are headhunted in construction, as men are less likely to fill in applications or upload a CV. Our office for example, has recently had a change in that there are more women, as the majority of applications were from women. Where people are undervalued in other fields of work, you are given recognition almost automatically if you are a woman, because you are rare.
Not to say it's an easy accomplishment and don't feel entitled, you definitely have to express passion in what you do. Honestly if you aren't chances are you will feel overwhelmed, because you are given responsibilities. However with these responsibilities comes opportunities, it's an workplace that evolves and you're always learning. If you're prepared to put in the work, value the team and expand your network you will go far. As well as having fun along the way.
