Keeping Millennial Employees Happy

Millennials and baby boomers have a very different approach when it comes to their careers. Millennials prefer to move from job to job, learning and moving up along the way, while baby boomers were more likely to spend their whole career at only one or two companies. As the workforce moves to preferring short term positions, employees value training opportunities more than ever.

According to Inc.:

• 92 percent of U.S. employees say that learning something new on the job makes them more motivated and engaged in their work
• 79 percent of employees say when searching for a job, it is important to them that the employer offers a formal training program to their employees
• 83 percent of employees find on-the-job training most effective in helping them perform well in their job compared with classroom-based training, self-paced training (i.e. e-learning) and more
• The majority of employees (33 percent) say they have participated in past training on technology skills, while only 17 percent say they've participated in management skills training
• More than half (51 percent) of employers don't offer soft skills training (i.e. how to speak to a customer or client effectively)
• 68 percent of employers don't incentivize or reward employees for completing trainings

How are you preparing employees for their futures? Whether you want them to move up within your own ranks or expect them to move on, employees now more than ever value acquiring knowledge at work.

Don't Worry- You Can Be Under Qualified and Still Get Hired

Have you ever applied for a job, knowing you did not quite meet all of the qualifications? Don't worry- according to CNBC 84% of HR managers would hire someone despite them not fulfilling all job qualifications. These companies are open to teaching employees through training rather than waiting for the perfect candidate to fall into their lap.

In your job search, don't be afraid to apply for positions that stray a bit from your skills. Although taking a major leap will likely not be fruitful, stepping out of your comfort zone will open you up to great new experiences. Always be honest with hiring managers about your credentials, but also be sure to mention what you have learned from training in the past.

Now get out there and start applying! Have you ever gotten a job offer despite not perfectly meeting the criteria? Let us know in the comments!

What To Look For When Hiring College Students

Whether you are looking for an intern or hiring a recent college graduate, judging a candidate based on their very limited college resume can be challenging. However, if you know what to look for a lack of experience won't stop you from finding great new hires. Here's what you should be looking for when hiring college students, based on Inc's recent column on the topic.

Is the student smart? Many students put their GPA on their resumes, but this is only one part of their intellect. How are their communication skills? Can they hold a conversation and answer your questions? Don't be afraid to ask for a sample of a students work before hiring them.

Is the student driven? This question can be answered in part by how well they prepared for your interview. Did they bother to research you and your company? Make sure they are taking the interviewing process seriously before investing in them.

Does the student have any achievements to back up their credentials? Although many wonderful potential hires may apply without any substantial achievements, there are still ways you can judge their potential. Will they be graduating with honors? What, if any, work experience is listed on their resume? If worried about their ability to perform at work, a quick call to their old supervisor can be telling.

Was the student involved on campus? Did they join any honors organizations or student groups during college? Were they involved in the executive board or charity events for their fraternity or sorority? Don't underestimate the people skills, time management, and planning required to run a student organization.

Hiring students will little to no work experience can be a daunting task, but we all have to start out somewhere. Using these tips, you can confidently hire a college student without the risk.