If I had to guess, I'd probably go with money. But aside from universal factors like salary, benefits, and compensation, several other key criteria influence employment decisions. Some of which depend on your age.
Dave Sanford, executive vice president at a Boston-area staffing firm, claims that where job seekers sit on the generational continuum can affect how they make employment decisions. Sanford's article highlights the differences between what Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), Generation X (born 1964-1979), and Millennials/Gen Y (born 1980 or later) value in their careers and employers.
The Differences
- Baby Boomers value location, loyalty and work ethic, and financial security and stability.
- Gen X looks for employer stability, a forum for questioning authority, and flexible work arrangements.
- Millennials are interested in socially conscious employers, independent contributions wtihin a team environment, and flexibility in roles and schedules and a comfortable environment.
What do you think? Does this match up with what you value in your career and employers?
3 comments:
I'm a proud GenY-er, and I definitely did NOT go for the big money. Or any money, for that matter... AmeriCorps members (I'm a VISTA) sometimes get this reputation for joining because we couldn't get other jobs - but I turned down several offers for "real" jobs for the flexibility of this one. I wanted the casual environment and adaptable job duties in my current organization over any tantalizing dollar signs. (Although they do look nice when you're filling out your application for food stamps...)
As a Gen Xer, I agree with two points; employer stability and flexible work arrangements. However, I disagree that I want to question authority. If other Gen Xers still do, then they just haven't reached that point where as adults you suddenly realize we ARE the authority. To me, that's just a maturity thing, not generational.
I completely agree with that. I think we value different things based on our age, not necessarily our generation. Maturity does play a key role in that.
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