Australian Experiential Learning Centre

#GenY #GenerationY | This blog is probably not of much use to anyone reading it but it does focus on an interesting observation. There are two main types of Generation Y and there is a HUGE gap between the two types.

On one side you have the motivated, savvy, go getting individuals who study, take on further studies at Uni or TAFE etc and although they are perhaps a little selfish and ‘me’ orientated, they are positive, hardworking and almost mature. Then…. There are the others. Now I say this with a hint of trepidation because the others I have decided are the ones giving Gen Y the bad name.

Employers can handle some pushiness and a bit of snobbiness if their employee is a machine that does the job and wants to hike their way up the ladder as fast as they can, but what employers are afraid of when hiring the infamous Gen Y is the other lot. The ones who bludge and expect things done for them. The ones  I’m sure they are referring to on the radio when they read out the stats of Christmas car crashes and the 18-25 year olds who are predominantly in them. The ones who want everything and are not prepared to give anything back. These are the Gen Yers who let us all down.

I don’t mean to sound rude but I get a little sick of being put in a category of people who are not like me at all. I am 23 but I’m as hard working as you get and I am always striving to better myself. I don’t expect things for free but I do give a lot of myself for free, I don’t bludge and make others take on my share of the work and I certainly don’t think going 150 in a 60 zone is fun!

So anyway, there is my observation. What do you see when you look at Generation Y as a whole?

In everyday life, employers make choices about who they hire and assumptions based on a variety of experiences and knowledge acquired over time. One of those key assumptions is often around the issue of dealing with employees in the age categories known as Generation Y, Generation X and Baby Boomers.

In most literature, Gen Y’s are classified as those aged between 18 and 30 and Baby Boomers as 45 – 65. In all categories the research is generalised and does not take into account individual personalities, up-bringing or environment. Researchers develop their surveys, do the research and analyse to find a common thread to identify trends. The trends are used to develop marketing material and a multitude of products for these cohorts and often hit the mark and can be labelled as truth for the many if not the all.

Information like this is common knowledge and the source of many a training session across the country leading to what can be described as employer age bias. So lets look at some of the Gen Y versus Baby Boomer issues as described through generational myth.

Many employers have no interest in mentoring younger employees because of the stigma attached with the Generation Y ‘attitude problem’. Conversely, many employers assume that Baby Boomers are too expensive; overqualified; not technologically astute as younger workers; and more likely to use health benefits and, eventually, retirement benefits. Put Gen Y and Baby Boomers together however and the negatives can cancel themselves out, bringing the desirable skills of both generations to the fore.

It is a common perception that Gen Y’s are selfish, lazy and hard to get along with. They have no interest in hard work and are a ‘me’ generation interested only in themselves and what they want. They are arrogant, selfish, overindulgent, high-maintenance, impatient, over-confident and spoilt. And while elements of this statement may be true; Gen Y are also a smart breed and if you get them onside, a loyal breed.

The truth is that Gen Y’s are both high-performance and high-maintenance; with high expectations of both themselves and of their employers. The Gen Y employee will work hard and fast if they feel they are getting the respect and recognition they deserve.

Baby Boomers have the skills the Gen Y lack. They are experienced, worldly, sociable, skilled, and content, and they are happy to work in a position for a long time making them a valuable, and less risky asset to a company. However statistics show that over 50’s still have a much harder time finding employment.

But Boomers are also, generally speaking, more dedicated to their work and can bring experiences and perspectives that younger workers can’t offer. And the fact that Boomers are health conscious means they are generally healthier and take better care of themselves.

According to the AARP, 80% of Baby Boomers plan to work past retirement; meaning business owners can feel secure in hiring long term workers. This contrasts with the ambitious Y Generation who are not likely to stay in one job for prolonged periods.

But this aside, Gen Y will bring a fresh and funky outlook on things. If your business services younger clientèle, then having a member of this ever so fussy generation on board is crucial to ensuring you know how to please your client.

And Gen Y’s don’t want to work long and hard; they want to work smart so you can be sure they will work quickly.

Generation Y want to be in charge, they want to be successful and take it to the top as soon as they can because they are obsessed with career development. This means Gen Y will work to impress you if you give them the chance. Baby Boomers will work steady and sure, always pleasing their boss but without the drive to move forward and up the ranks.

Baby Boomers can impart their years of experience. Perhaps this is the biggest reason for an employer to hire an older worker. Nothing beats a life of experience – but the younger generations should not be overlooked either.

Gen Y can also be useful as mentors themselves! They know technology; they know about social media and believe it or not, because of Facebook and Twitter are up to date with what’s going on in the world. Gen Y can teach older co-workers about new technologies and the supremacy of on-line communities.

Don’t be afraid to hire younger employees. Yes, Gen Y can be a little self-obsessed and egotistical but remember, born from Gen Y will be our countries newest leaders, billionaires and entrepreneurs!

A mixture of the two is the ideal combination in the workforce. Generation Y and Baby Boomers together, when properly managed, create a win-win situation for all.

Don’t give up! #geny #generationy #jobsearch #jobs

Remember I was telling you about the position I went for at my local paper? Well I got it and I couldn’t be happier. I am now officially a Communities Reporter for the Sunshine Coast Daily which means I will be acting as Editor for seven regional papers!

It is so hard to break into the industry you have always loved and always wanted to be a part of and when you finally do; the hard yards, the free work – everything seems well worth it.

But it has not been easy and it has taken me a lot of time and a lot of patience and persistence to get where I finally am now.

Many people who graduate (and I was this person once) think that because they have the piece of paper to say they are competent, employers will now throw open their doors and invite you in. Wrong!  You are not the only person who has just graduated and so you, along with a gazillion others, are all wanting to break into the career of your dreams.

So some advice from someone who has been there and made it out the other end:

Get a foot in the door

If you’re finding that you’re getting a lot of doors slammed in your face, start thinking differently and consider what you’re lacking – what an employer wants you to have. EXPERIENCE! Start applying for internships and graduate programs instead of a job. It gets your foot in the door, shows that you are keen and will give you great hands-on experience and the upper hand if a position becomes available within the company. Businesses admire people who are willing to put in the time and effort to do unpaid work and this will show that you have passion!

Start at the bottom

Sorry guys but you don’t walk straight into a $100,000 salary job after you graduate (unless you’re bloody lucky). Starting at the bottom of the food chain is often the way to get into the company you want to work for. If you want to work as a radio presenter and the only position available at your dream radio station is as a receptionist – take it! Australian Vogue editor Kirstie Clements started out as a receptionist before working her way to the top. Work hard, get to know the key players in the company and get noticed.

Hang in there!

Don’t give up and get disheartened. There will be so many no’s before the big yes so don’t lose confidence and don’t lose your passion. I waited three years for the job I wanted and even now I’m on a starting wage.  But I know with my personality and enthusiastic manner of doing things that I will get noticed and I will grow. Just keep being proactive, positive and wholehearted in your approach to landing the dream job. Look through newspapers, job search sites and social media sites, join networking clubs, and just don’t give up. You never know what might be around the corner.

#geny #generationy #jobsearch #jobs

A few weeks ago I looked up on facebook the Editor in Chief of the biggest regional newspaper in Australia, The Sunshine Coast Daily. I sent him a friend request. He accepted!

A few days after that I began my online stalking… I mean, researching. I checked out his profile, his pictures, his info and friends; anything else I could get my hands on so I felt like I knew him better. Then I sent him a message.

This may sound creepy but this is a man who is very sought after and often hard to get hold of and thanks to a few mutual acquaintances (on facebook) he accepted my friend request and I was taking full advantage of that!

So, I spruced up my resume, rounded up some samples of work and devised a clever, witty message to send him via facebook and subsequently via email as well, asking if he had any available jobs and can I please, pretty please have one!

Of course I said this a little more diplomatically and sounded much more professional but the quirk of using online social media to ask for a job was great!

AND IT WORKED!!!!

Not a week later did I receive an email from the weekend Editor of the paper asking if I would like to do some weekend work experience and possibly get an internship? YES!!!

Then, a week after that fantastic email, I received a call from the Community Editor saying she may have a job for me and can I come in for an interview… Mark (the Editor in Chief) had sent her my details! This job  was for a regional acting Editor looking after SEVEN community newspapers all connected to the Sunshine Coast Daily! I was in for my interview the next day!

Funnily enough when I arrived and met with Mark, the first thing he said to me was “No-one has ever contacted me via facebook before to apply for a job. You showed great initiative and creativity,” Score 1 to Lahnee!!!

The interview went great, we had an icebreaker (my facebook stalking) and now I wait for the verdict.

I suppose the point of this is that in such a competitive arena with hundreds of people fighting to get interviews and jobs or just a foot in the door, you need to get a little creative. Nearly the whole wide world is online and almost everyone uses some form of social media so be a little cheeky (but still 100% professional of course) and try new ways to get noticed and hopefully score that dream job you always wanted!

Now wish me luck with mine!

Imagine the simplicity of a reminder every time that someone in your database of personal and professional networks has a birthday.

Let’s say you haven’t spoken to a colleague, a contact or friend in a few months and a delightful comrade, your Microsoft Outlook Express, gives you a simple yet subtle prompt that today is their Birthday. Imagine how that person will feel when in their Outlook they receive a Birthday E-card from you. This simple and sweet motion is just what you need to keep your professional and personal relationships going strong and let your contacts know that they are important to you.

Plaxo is the “smart address book”, an easy to use online program connected through your Outlook Express that allows you to keep track of your contacts and their birthdays no matter where you are, at home or on the road; you can easily access your address book safely and securely with minimal effort required.

E-cards by Plaxo allow you to pick your desired E-Card, write a short personalised message, add the contact from your address book and send!

Easy and effective, this humble gesture will help you build stronger relationships with your contacts or simply allow you the convenience of keeping in touch; so, Happy Birthday, your way to dollars and sense!