Hellobee Boards

My dad is a perfectly stereotypical boomer so I was raised in a very 'earn your place and take you lumps' household. I really do think that has carried me quite far in my career as an adult. I do tend to fit into the millenial category when it comes to my love of technology though. Lord help me should the computers go down, what would I do with myself?

@Mrs. Jacks: every day? You work hard! Do you do a seven day week all the time?

@Mrs. Jacks: I've learned the hard way to spend 80% of the interview process focused on their motivations.

I hire a lot of writers, and one trick I've learned is to list a bunch of writing-related occupations (writer, blogger, journalist, columnist, reporter, etc.). Then I ask them which words they most relate to, and why. It reveals so much! And if they pick certain occupations, I've learned not to hire them.

This was so interesting to me. I am Gen Y and love hands on, tech--but if I am work with an older group, like baby boomers (and I'm presenting information) I have found its usually interesting and better for them to present more directive, or even sit down. A lot of the "older" folks I work with seek my assistance when it comes to details in presentations or managerial things...and I kind of love that. On a side note, I did see a pin this week that said "it's not 1989. I don't know how to use a computer isn't a valid excuse anymore."

Ha!

@mrbee: I'm a writer/journalist and have never been asked to do that before but it's a pretty cool way of doing interviews!

@travelgirl1: It's really hard to hire writers. And then if you work together for a while, then cryptic references to someone that sounds just like you start showing up their Tumblr. Yay for social media.

I think my biggest frustration is with older Boomers who are not very tech savvy. It just takes them so long to do certain projects that it actually affects my workload since a lot of times I have to pick up their slack. Just watching them pick their way through a spreadsheet drives me crazy (of course, there are plenty of Boomers that are very tech savvy, just not the ones I work with).

I did some generational work and strategic planning in my last job, and I really liked it. It's so interesting to see different generations' personalities and characteristics coming together to get things done.

I love Millenials, but I think maybe that's because I am one? I think Millenials actually have a great work ethic, but it often goes unrecognized because it's different than previous generations'. I don't think Millenials judge work ethic by hours, but more by productivity, and I think as long as you can keep them engaged, they are always looking for new opportunities, challenges, etc... Generational studies are really fascinating to me.

There's a huge generational difference at my company. Mostly Boomers, for sure. Fewer Gen-Xers. Over 50% of the company is within 5 years of retiring. I work with a ton of folks who are in their 50's and 60's. Bridging the gap comes up at all the conferences I attend and is a frequent "lunch and learn" topic at my company. I go out of my way to call or visit them instead of respond to everything by email. I avoid IM with them and I keep them abreast of my projects. Being engineers, our Boomers are very tech savvy. They do embrace the technology.

I am definitely a millenial when it comes to work/life balance. I work my 40 and I go home. I don't shuck work, though...I have worked OT before when needed. But I do my job. However, it is a corporate mentality FOR SURE. And I notice that our older generations have certainly adopted it. Weather's nice? They're out golfing and taking half days during the summer. They are also very big on their lifestyle. I think it's a corporate mindset for us because the company pushes work/life balance and not working overtime on us. I think the ones that believe in the 60 hour/week grind are very far and few between. In 5 years, I only ever had one person tell me I should work a ton of hours to get ahead. Everybody else is like, "enjoy your weekend!" etc

I do utilize a lot of our technology but it ultimately depends who I am working with. I cater to them for the most part, because they are the more senior engineers and I respect that. They shouldn't bend to me, I should be bending to them. It makes them FAR more willing to share with me. Many are excellent mentors...I have almost never had issues tapping their brain for knowledge. They are eager to share with me.

We have flex time, which is definitely a newer/millenial concept. But everybody seems to embrace it! Hardly anybody works a super rigid schedule.

I just find that being flexible to everyone else gives me a good advantage and lots of positive reviews when it comes to communication and such. Being amendable puts me in a favorable position, definitely.