Boomers Working for Millennials: Finding common ground! [Guest Post]

Boomers Working for Millenials

If you are a baby boomer, you probably have children that are millennials. Do you network with people your kid’s age?

Could you see yourself working for a millennial in the near future?

Have you incorporated millennials into your job search network?

If you have not, you should, and here is why.

Millennials Will Dominate the Workforce

First, look at the current demographics of the workforce. According to the Pew Research, baby boomers make up 1/3 and generation X and millennials make up the other 2/3s.

The reality is, many of the current hiring managers are much younger than you, and in they will continue to be in the future. Millennials will dominate the workforce by 2020 and outnumber the baby boomers.

What does this mean for you as a Job Seeker?

It means you need to make sure millennials are in your job search network NOW!

Are millennial managers in your network?

Your new approach is not to spend time looking in the advertised market. Develop relationships with millennial managers who could hire you.

Find a “common ground” with Millennials by understanding what they look for in baby boomer new hires.

You want to know this before the interview—not during it.

As one of Stephen Covey’s Habits of Highly Successful People, “Seek to understand, then to be understood,” which could translate into: Learn first and then sell yourself!

New Approach

How can you get started on your new approach? Here are some 7 tips to help you!

1.  Adjust your mindset so that, on Monday morning, you have new job search responsibilities and activities to begin your day. You will NOT be applying for jobs in the advertised market!
2.  Create an uplifting 30-second commercial using language about the changing demographics and your goal of building a network of millennials.
3.  Invite a group of your children’s friends and work colleagues over to let them know you are in the job market. Tell them that you are trying to build a diverse network that includes young professionals.
4.  Ask great questions to learn about their values, motivators, and what they may be looking for in a baby boomer employee.
5.  Attend an association meeting for young professionals where you will meet many people from different industries and disciplines, too.
6.  Update your LinkedIn profile that includes interests of activities that keep you active. Ask for recommendations from someone younger that either worked for you or with you.
7.  Volunteer your time with organizations that need mentors where younger people can see you engaged and connected to what they are doing.

Baby boomers are going up against younger job candidates. The more you understand and “find the common ground,” you just might increase your chances of being hired!

What is your next step to find common ground with millennials?

About the author

Jayne Mattson is Senior Vice President of Keystone Associates, a founding partner of Career Partners International LLC, a partnership of global leaders in the talent management and outplacement industries. Jayne consults with professionals from a diverse range of industries and functions and specializes in mid-career change and pre-retirement planning. She is a Certified Retirement Coach and Master Career Consultant.

Jayne frequently authors articles on numerous career topics; her work has appeared on Mashable.com, Monster, Career Builder and print publications including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.

Jayne volunteers her time in youth organizations to help them build self-confidence and professional leadership skills.

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