Hi Andrew,
Sure, but I think it also depends on sector and sub-sector, and to a limited extent geography. This behavior does not happen per se on the commericial side of pharma where i sit. Jobs are few compared to job-seeking market, its an employer's market not employees. Plus the market profile for job seekers are highly specialized and skilled. I would say same for Pre-clinical and manufacturing side of R&D - Ph.D.s who have direct experience in-house pharma Drug Discovery or direct experience Technical Production or Industry Operations - super highly skilled folk and not so many jobs.
So for a young newbie PhD to even get a shot to interview for say a Technical Production or Quality role at Big Pharma Inc. - I highly doubt they won't be showing up...if anything i bet they'll be there 1 hour early!
There are other sectors that are churn of the mill, that don't required super specialized or super skilled employees as compared to say what's needed for being a Non-clinical Pharmacologist or Toxicologist responsible for data generation and collation into an IND submission vs. call center person. No to deminish call center folk but you get the point.
Millenial or not, they'll be at the interview on my side of the sector, even for short-term trainee positions.
DX