The Millennial Bust

Disclaimer: This is not a post about politics. I am not attempting to convince you to vote for one candidate or issue over another. Nor do I want this to be seen as a criticism of a candidate – this is a lesson about awareness and selling yourself during a job interview.

I went to a political rally with about as open of a mind as I possibly could have. I was excited to get my ticket and to drive across town to see what this whole movement was about. There is a difference between how things are edited and presented on screen and seeing it live.

I was very excited to talk to like minded folks from where I parked. I loved the small talk walking up to the hangar. The guys trying to hawk gear were hilarious and the supporters were honestly excited to see a guy that was going to help our country with serious problems we are facing. I spoke to a stay at home mom, an AC repairman, few retirees, an accountant – folks from all ways and means, some that even brought their kids to see what could be the next president of the United States.

Energy in the airplane hangar was remarkable. People were talking, cheering, high fiving, dancing. Then the huge boom of the jet, even an hour after the event was supposed to start, sent another huge roar through the crowd. The jet pulled up right next to the stage and I don’t care how much you love or hate someone, it takes a lot not to get excited.

Then he started talking…

Everyone that has ever been either side of the job interview table will tell you that it’s nothing more than a sales job. Tell me what you can do for this company. What sort of benefits do you offer? Tell me how your skills are relevant for this position. What are my advancement opportunities? Tell me about your ambitions, aspirations and future goals. How will my performance be measured and compensated?

“Look at this crooked media, they are so crooked”… and people started walking towards the exit.

“Look at this hangar full of people, we were going to just hold it in there but too many of you showed up so now we’re out here too!”… and people started walking towards the exit.

“Our politicians are crooked!”… and people started walking towards the exit.

The steady stream of people walking out not even 15 minutes into the speech made me constantly look over to see if they were being escorted or kicked out.. what sort of trouble could that many people cause?

“Hillary is so crooked.. Media is crooked.. Congress is crooked”… and people started walking towards the exit.

I stood there. I waited. We are going to make America great again. How?

I waited for another 20 minutes as the insult comic festival continued.

Then, like more than half of the crowd by that point, I too headed for the exit.

Millennial Attitude

There he was. A billionaire who poorly prepared for the job feeling entitled he could do it because we need to change things up.

He blamed the media, his opponent, his own party and everyone else for how poorly he was being treated. Without an ounce of accountability or humility.

He presented no ideas on how to solve any of the problems we are facing. Just whining. Misdirecting. Rambling and not getting to the point.

He lost half the people that were excited to give him a chance.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is exactly the same attitude I got from every millennial failure I’ve ever had the displeasure of working with: no accountability, no ideas, no work ethic, no pride – constant misdirection, whining about unfairness, excuses, and plenty of blame to pass on to others without any concrete ideas on how to solve the problem.

I am not here to offer you political advice. Vote your conscience.

Just remember that the interview is a sales process – it looks for accountability, for humility, for ideas, for character, for leadership and taking charge no matter how small or how big of a job you’re asking people to trust you with.

If half the people interviewing leave the room before you’ve made your point.. you’re probably not getting that job.