A class that teaches you how to eat or even the basic social skills to get a job — is it really necessary?
Some companies think so, particularly for the generation of twenty-somethings and younger dubbed Millennials.
While they are undoubtedly social-media savvy, living their lives online in 140 characters or fewer, many of the younger potential workers lack very basic skills because of it, according to some employers.
“Writing skills — people don’t write as much as they used to. They’re texting, so they forget to write in complete sentences and articulate their written skills professionally,” said Jeff Dunn, an Intel campus relations manager.
Even if a cover letter scores the millennial an interview, many still flunk their face-to-face meetings because they aren’t being professional, according to the HR Policy Association.
According to many hiring managers, a small number of millennials during an interview use slang or overly casual language, respond to a text message, pick up a phone call, or even have their parents or pets accompany them.
“Everything about you shows. If your email address is screwloose dot com or tequilagirl, that shows (you’re) unprofessional,” said Gina Snyder, a business etiquette trainer.
The need for professionalism at all times is why Sacramento State students attended an event at the college recently, to learn proper dining etiquette from Snyder.
“What should I order? What knife should I use? Where do my solids go? Where do my liquids go? That’s something I’m interested in learning,” student Melissa Aguirre said.
Employers are also calling the attitudes of younger people alarming.
In a recent annual survey by the Center for Professional Excellence, many of the 400 human resources executives surveyed said young employees often appear arrogant in interviews and appear at the office with a sense of entitlement.
“Recruiters want to know: Are you ready to cross the line? Are you ready to cross the line to become a professional, to step into my company?” Snyder said.
More than half the employers surveyed also said Millennials are spending too much time on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.
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