MICROWAVE Success 101

Is success best served slow-cooked or is there some merit in the microwave method? Let's unpack the rise of instant wins versus the beauty of building slowly.

- MECAYLA MASEKA

The world is now more fast paced than it has ever been.

Thanks to the increase in interconnectedness, the flow of information and technological advancements overall, we can do everything from ordering groceries to getting insurance within a matter of minutes. Considering this, it's not surprising that this trend has seeped its way into our career as well.

Microwave success can be defined as a contemporary metaphor used to describe the desire or mindset for instant, effortless results, much like a microwave heats food. The rise of microwave success is also driven by instant gratification, digital immediacy and economic uncertainties.

More and more employees around the world, particularly Gen Zs and millennials, are changing jobs quicker than in earlier years. In fact, according to a recent report by Randstad, Gen Z’s average tenure in the first five years of their career is just 1.1 years, significantly shorter than millennials (1.8 years), Gen X (2.8 years) and Baby Boomers (2.9 years).

What's more? Gen Zs plan to keep moving: 25% say they hope or plan to leave their employers within the next six months compared with 23% of millennials and 18% of Gen Xs. According to a US study, Gen Z employees might change jobs up to ten times between the ages of 18 and 34. However, these short stints shouldn't be mistaken for shortsightedness. Gen Z moves not out of impatience, but ambition and because many of the roles they exit don't offer room for growth.

THE REWARDS

While many warn that "you can't microwave success", it has its benefits. Liz Ryan, coveted HR professional and career coach, explained in a Forbes article that changing jobs often has the below benefits: