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Career Advice - Understanding Gen Y

Posted: Wed 12th May 2010 | Author: Paul Madgwick | Comments: [0]

We have all heard about this generation of young, savvy adults that have a way of thinking that is like no other generation before them. Do you understand them?

Below are a few points on what this group is really like and it may just help you to understand them better.
They are indeed a spirited group with such characterisitics such as;

Increased use and familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies.
Peer-oriented due to easier facilitation of communication through technology and the rise of instant communication technologies, such as email, texting, and IM and new media used through websites like YouTube and social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter.
Living with their parents for longer than recent generations who push the acceptable boundaries for full adulthood from their mid 20's to early 30's. Many members of Generation Y have chosen to live at home, remain without a family or children, and delay a full career longer than any generation before them.
Tend to be competitive sports and life where 'no one loses' and everyone gets a 'Thanks for Participating' trophy and symbolizing a perceived sense of entitlement.
Possess great expectations from the workplace and desire to shape their jobs to fit their lives rather than adapt their lives to the workplace.
They push for more feedback, responsibility, and involvement in decision making and after the performance discuss and debate the generational differences they have seen.
Many employers say Gen-Ys are short on skills, demanding, impatient and far from loyal.
Employers recognise their talent but a deep ambivalence towards Gen-Ys poor spelling and grammar, a failure to understand what constitutes appropriate corporate behaviour and poor communication skills are the biggest bugbears.
Gen-Ys either don’t know or don’t care about their employers’ lack of enthusiasm for what they have to offer.
They are more demanding than other workers when it comes to advancing their careers, and are more likely to ask for a pay rise.
If they don’t receive either, they simply leave.
Gen Y have the talent and employers want to retain this talent.

So try and understand them, accommodate them and make their days and time interesting. You will then see that this generation, although different, can work and achieve great things on any level. Work against them and it is to your own detriment.

Do you have any thoughts about Gen Y’s and how to deal with them? Why not post a reply below and let us know.
Good luck!

Published in: Insights