Apr 21, 2009 | blog
It’s an interesting time we live in. Economic turmoil, changing social norms, 100 year old publishing businesses crumbling, and new media powerhouses being established. You’d be hard pressed to give our present era a pass and claim it to be not as important as <fill in your favorite era here>.
Along with these incredible times are some challenges for every business, and everyone that works in them. The reality is that the past decade has brought incredible change in our communications and social structures because of digital communication. Included in this is the first generation raised entirely within the Internet, and mobile communication revolution of advanced technology.
This generation has experienced the freedom of wireless connections from an early age, and rediscovered the power of text communications. The “kids†in this generation have expanded their mental and reflex capacities through vigorous sessions of online, multiplayer, interactive & collaborative games. These folks have no stigma about being online, and this generation comes prewired for online social interaction. They have the ability to actively team-build without preamble and pep talks, can do business virtually without the need to meet in person and can work with folks on the other side of the globe as easily as they work with people in the next cube.
This is the youth movement of today, and they’re entering your business right now. These young folks are part of the largest workforce to enter the American business landscape since the boomers. They are your new entry level employees and they know what’s up. They’re smart, fast to learn new things, and anxious to prove themselves. With the Baby Boomers retiring and GenX/Y moving up, these folks coming out of college are bringing a revolution in relationship management with them.
Are you ready for them?
Photo credit: eddiehosa
Feb 9, 2009 | blog
We had an interesting discussion around the lunch table the other day regarding many aspects of the current economy. From the mounting job purges of too many large companies and what it all means to us the average person.
Really the discussion came around to how the traditional exercise of searching for a job is changing. There were three of us at lunch today and, not surprisingly, there were three different perspectives and understanding of the process in an environment that we all find ourselves in.
Here is where the differences in age come into play. Among the three of us around the table, there was about a decade from the youngest to oldest. The perception of how best to position oneself in today’s market was probably best understood by the younger two of the group, with the oldest standing fairly firm to the notion that job search and how you go about it hasn’t changed much.
Really, the truth is that it depends on the job you’re looking to get. Calling it a job to begin with is part of the problem, as anyone looking for the next job should really believe that they are looking for the next step in their career. Following the old, tried and true methods of mass mailings, cold-calls, and relying on a headhunter finding you may still work, but one wonders for how long?
Instead, following the example of many an enterprising young millennial may actually be your best bet. Maybe everyone doesn’t feel up to posting videos of themselves on YouTube, or spending hours on Twitter, or the many other social networks. However, at least a full LinkedIn profile, and even a Facebook page, so folks are able to find you, may be in order.
The point I suppose I’m trying to get to is that change has already taken place in the area of job search & career placement; and the sooner you understand that the easier it’ll be to prepare for the next phase of your career. This is as true for seasoned corporate veterans as it is for the new college grad looking to jump into the fray.
It’s time to manage yourself into the next career change rather than falling into it.
Photo credit: ChrisB in SEA
