A few years from now, Millennials and Generation Z will have comprised the majority of the workforce. They are at an important juncture in their career, because they are currently pursuing jobs and applying for them. Especially for millennials, it can be challenging to find jobs that fit their preferences. Hiring managers have a lot of millennial job interview questions—how they interact in social media, what kind of experiences they have working for a company, how well they are able to work with people from various backgrounds—that millennial job seekers should prepare for.
When a company creates a job opening, there is a good chance that a job hopeful might come ill-prepared. Worse, they might be under-qualified for the post. Given the novel structure in which we live and work today, a lot of companies are trying to cater to this generation by hiring millennials with skills that employers require. Nonetheless, employers run the risk of not realizing that these individuals may not have the experience or background that make them suited for the position.
Are you gearing toward your job search and looking for job interview tips? We’ve got your back! As you learn about how to prepare for an interview, consider the millennial job interview questions that might get asked—and answer them with confidence and ease. Read on!
What is a Millennial?
The term millennial is used to describe a person who was born between the early 1980s and late 1990s. Millennial job candidates may also be part of Generation Z, those born after mid-2000s. Millennials are the most educated generation in history, and they’re also more racially diverse than any other generation before them.
Millennials are known for their technological savvy and a love of social media. They’re also known for being open to change and innovation. Often described as “digital natives,” millennials grew up with technology from day one; they weren’t raised on dial-up internet or mobile phones before smartphones became commonplace in the 2000s.
Millennials in the Workplace
While millennials want companies to see value in their skills and experiences, they also want to be treated seriously as employees with careers of their own. In order for your company to stay competitive against other businesses, you need to know what motivates millennials so you can meet them where they are at right now.
For instance, employers must prepare millennials for leadership positions rather than give them special treatment. Like previous generations before them and generations to come, they must embrace the unique qualities they bring to the workplace. When both employers and millennials are aware of each other’s thought processes, any negative experience becomes a learning one.
Millennials need this preparation when preparing for leadership roles because once they are in leadership roles, they will be able to guide their teams based on their experience from life. Your successors will be more likely to take the company in the direction you want if these experiences are incorporated now.
Common Millennial Job Interview Questions
As noted in the beginning of this article, employers are asking more questions in the hiring process. It’s not just because employers want to get a good sense of your personality and background; it’s also because employees are asking questions about their company culture, and how you can fit in.
Here are some common millennial job interview questions:
Tell me something about yourself.
It may seem like a simple question, but there is no shortage of opinions on what constitutes a valid answer. In order to answer this type of question, you need to be able to demonstrate your knowledge and skills by sharing your experiences and achievements with your interviewer.
What is your biggest weakness?
This is a great way to gauge how well you work in teams and how well they work with others. It’s also a great way to see if they will be able to work with you and the rest of the team on projects. You want to find out if they can follow directions and make good decisions, as well as their ability to take criticism and learn from it.
If you were hired for this job, what would be your first week of tasks?
This question probes a millennial’s grasp of the needs of the business and what’s expected of them at their new company. It also shows that you have an understanding of what’s important in terms of responsibilities.
Why should we hire you?
The first question that you need to ask yourself is: “Why should you hire me?” You will have a better chance at landing the job if you can answer this question. To be prepared, read some tips on how to answer the question, “Why should we hire you?”
What type of position are you going for?
You also need to know what kind of position you are going for and why. This will help you tailor your answers to the position as well as give them an idea of what kind of person they may be hiring for. For example, if it’s a sales position, then try and make it sound like you’re someone who naturally sells or has a knack for sales.
What type of experience do you have?
Another thing that employers look for in their employees is experience. So, it’s important that you don’t just talk about how many hours per week or days per week that you spend working on projects without talking about how much experience those projects required or what kind of projects they were (i.e., did they require any special skills?).
These are a few of the questions that employers usually ask during job interviews, such as a handy guide on the common job interview questions.
Common Millennial Job Interview Mistakes
With their technical savvy, millennials are deemed perfect candidates for positions in tech companies or startups where these traits are valued. However, they also have a lot to offer employers beyond their technical knowledge: Millennials are also known for being team players, which can make them great employees in any industry or company type—even those that don’t necessarily require teamwork skills.
You may be thinking “What in the world is a millennial job interview?” Well, it’s not that different from other types of job interviews. It’s just that millennials are more comfortable with social media and technology than traditional interviewing methods. This, in turn, can become a pitfall during one’s job search.
Here are some of the most common millennial job interview mistakes:
- Not wearing proper attire for the company’s dress code or culture
- Lack of preparation to answer questions about work experience
- Showing up late to an interview
- Incomplete job search tools such as a resume or professional portfolio
- Not sure what kind of job you’re applying for
- Not asking questions about the company’s mission, vision and values
- Failing to show enthusiasm in the interview
- Not being honest about your past experience
Tips to Ace Millennial Job Interviews
The millennial job market is a tough one to crack. It’s not just the fact that many companies are still hiring and searching for talented candidates; the process of getting a job has also become more complicated than ever before.
When you’re looking for a job, you probably want to make a good impression. But when you’re in the process of interviewing for a position, it can be hard to know what to say and how to say it. Here are some tips to ace your next millennial job interview.
1. Be prepared.
There’s no need to stress out over the details of an interview, but you should be prepared for the job interview question and answers. You should have your resume handy and know exactly what you want from the conversation with the interviewer. Preparation also involves being appropriately dressed, too.
2. List questions for yourself.
If you don’t know what questions you might get asked during an interview, make some mental notes beforehand. You can also take time before going in to research what other people have been asked by referencing websites where people share their experiences interviewing at various companies or industries. This will give you great insights into what could go wrong during the interview process and how to handle them in a professional manner.
3. Be confident, but not cocky.
You should be able to demonstrate that you have all the skills and abilities needed for the job through your resume. Nevertheless, it’s also important that you show off how much you care about what you do by being reliable and committed to completing tasks.
You can reflect your confidence with the way you deliver your words and the way you carry yourself. Your body language is a very important part of your interview and can have a big impact on how the interviewer will perceive you. Keep in mind that although you want to come across as confident, it’s important not to be cocky or arrogant.
4. Include your strengths and weaknesses.
It’s important for you to identify what makes you unique as an employee so that employers can see firsthand why they should hire you. So, you need to include relevant skills and qualifications that will help you succeed in the role. You should also be honest about your weaknesses and explain how you’ve overcome them in the past.
5. Don’t bring up salary expectations until the end of the interview process.
When you’re in the interview process, don’t bring up salary expectations until the end of the interview process. While some employers may be willing to negotiate on pay, most won’t. The best way to get your salary is by asking for it during the interview process and salary negotiations can be discussed with a recruiter or manager afterward.
Expert Tip:
The best thing to do is to not even bring up salaries at all during your job interview. Instead, focus on what you can do for the company rather than how much money they’ll pay you.
6. Be ready for questions about your background and experience.
Many interviewers will ask you questions about your background, experience and skills. This is the time to showcase what you can bring to the table and elevate your candidacy from your competition. You should be prepared for questions about your background, experience and why you want the job.
In addition, be prepared for tough questions that might include explaining any employment gaps in your resume. After all, you’ll most likely be asked about your experience and how it aligns with the job description. Be ready to talk about your background, including any relevant skills or qualifications that are important for the position. Make sure that you’re prepared for questions about why you’re interested in the company and what makes you a good fit for their team.
7. Dress professionally and appropriately for the job you’re applying for.
Millennials are known for being well-dressed and trendy. They often choose clothing styles that are popular among other millennials, but they also want to look professional at work. In order to get hired by an employer, you need to be able to dress appropriately that’s in line with the company’s requirements, while still exuding an aura as someone who is highly qualified for the job. You should also know the outfit etiquettes for millennial job interviews.
Read More Millennial Job Interview Tips from Our Career Experts
We hope that you find the aforementioned tips on how to prepare for an interview helpful. Following them is just a step toward your dream job. Remember: Being well prepared is just one thing that can impress your potential employer. This means that using the appropriate job search tools can improve your opportunity to be land the job.
We’re here to help! We can provide you with tips on how to answer common questions in interviews as well as strategies on how to get noticed by hiring managers so they don’t overlook you during the interview process. Check our blogs for more career advice!
