When Millennials first entered the workforce, there seemed to be a collective holding of breath to see what traits they’d bring with them. You represent a generation that has grown up with everything you need at your fingertips—literally—given the advances of mobile and digital technology. But while some think that gives them the right to turn their noses up at your work ethics, they are so, so wrong. In fact, this digital nativity is perhaps the most sought-after trait in the corporate world today. Let’s delve into why.

Leveraging your digital nativity to move forward in your careers

The app mindset

To be clear, the digital nativity we’re talking about goes beyond knowing keyboard functions or understanding HTTP language. You, as a Millennial, are unlike your predecessors because you are already are accustomed to having services provided to you anywhere, anytime, and on any device. You order concert tickets, clothes, and even dinner online through your phones and tablets all the time. Because of this “app mindset,” you are more likely to bring this same type of innovation with you to the business sphere.

From startups to corporate giants, businesses seek help all the time when it comes to providing this ease of request-fulfillment to their clients. In today’s world the ability to harness the power of disruptive technology is what keeps them ahead of competitors. So feel confident in your ability to contribute to or even lead a team in doing just that. Your perspective is imperative to moving businesses forward!

Practical applications

Perhaps even more valuable than your comfort with the app mindset is your ability to put it to practical use. With the still-lingering effects of the recession, a lot of you decided to do something different when you graduated rather than simply take an entry-level position at a big company—which is what many of the previous generations were accustomed to doing. Maybe you traveled the globe, backpacking through Europe or volunteering in Central America. Maybe you tried to finish writing a book or expand your photography portfolio. No matter what you did, you probably logged at least part of it on your own blog or through your social media accounts.

While it may have seemed like you were doing this purely for fun, believe it or not you were actually building skills that you can leverage at work. If you focused on building up your Instagram account, you were creating a marketing brand and demonstrating your ability to gather and engage followers. If you posted regularly to your blog, you accomplished even more than conveying your writing skills.

In fact, you showed an ability to meet your own deadlines and think of new and interesting ways to discuss a certain topic. You may have even tracked your own analytics and developed relationships that boosted your site’s SEO. Since actions speak louder than words, these are the sorts of experiences that you can highlight in your next job interview to show your dedication.

So the next time that you hear someone jab at Millennials or call you the “entitled generation,” know that this couldn’t be further from the truth. As a group, you have proven to be creative self-starters with an ability to innovate and think outside the box that many of your predecessors lack. You speak more languages—both cultural and digital—than anyone before you, and you have the work to show it. Whether you have been in the workforce for some years or are just about to graduate college, move forward with confidence in knowing that you already have many of the skills you need to land your dream job!