In a meeting with Darden faculty colleagues last week, we discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the millennial generation. One trait that we debated was millennials tendency to multitask. Is the skill of multi-tasking a strength or a weakness? One colleague asked, “Are they multi-tasking or multi-failing?”
An interesting example: I sat in and observed an MBA Executive class last week. The professor, to support her point, cited a particular book as good incremental reading. While the professor continued with the lesson/discussion, I observed two students Google the book and begin reading the reviews– in essence, checking the professor’s reference and judging the reference’s legitimacy. I guess the next step might have been to order it right there on Amazon. They didn’t, but turned their attention back to class. The students were multi-tasking; I would estimate that the diversion was approximately ninety seconds? Did they multi-task, or multi-fail?
Relation to Careers?
Students who multitask in their career search multi-fail. I don’t mean when they write a cover letter while analyzing a case while listening to their iPhone while driving – I mean, student who believe that they can pursue consulting as a career objective, while pursuing private equity, while pursuing investment banking as a backup are doomed to fail at all of them. This multi-objective search approach requires multi-company lists, multi-networking, multi-interviewing leading to multi-scheduling, multi-storytelling, and multi-interviewing, in my opinion, leads to multi-failure.
The opposite of multitasking in career management - FOCUS. Spend the first month exploring various options, but focus is necessary for success. Develop a single –minded career objective based on a realistic assessment of your knowledge, skills, attributes, and experiences and your job search will definitely increase its chances of ending in multi-offers.