There is a common argument that Gen-Y are a fickle bunch; that we run from job to job at the first sight of higher salaries and better benefits. We make great impressions in interviews with our energy, passion and drive, but don’t know anything about loyalty.
I have multiple 20-something friends who have admitted they are actively seeking new jobs. So sure — it’s easy to believe the Gen-Y stigma is accurate. It’s easy to accuse: in an economy as difficult as this, how dare young professionals take their jobs for granted?
I think the stigma is crap. And not just because I am one of many Gen-Yers who are more than happy with their jobs and absolutely NOT interested in any other positions. No, there’s more to it than that.
I’ve watched 30-, 40- and even 50-something friends, colleagues and family members accept new positions with the utmost excitement and then confess unhappiness in a matter of weeks.
So either EVERYONE is fickle and ungrateful — or something else is happening behind closed doors.
We could blame the job candidates for including too much spin in resumes. If only they had been 100 percent honest, they wouldn’t get stuck in positions that were never right for them in the first place.
But maybe, just maybe, applicants aren’t the only “spin doctors.”
Who has been promised “the world,” only to be overworked and underpaid? Who has been told they would be in charge of managing clients X, Y, Z, but then were micromanaged instead? Who has been told their thoughts would be valued but then had their voices stifled in meetings?
I’m not actually accusing employers of being spin doctors. But they, just like job candidates, are only human. If they see something (or someone) they really want, I don’t doubt for a second that a few fibs or exaggerations may emerge.
My point is that it is unfair to pinpoint Gen-Y as “the problem.” It’s hard to see what is really going on unless you are in the situation yourself. And quite frankly, it’s not anyone’s place to judge.
Professionals — Gen-Y and older — have you ever tossed a white lie or two in your resume or interview to land the job? If so, was it worth it or did you end up in a position that wasn’t good for you? And employers, have you ever strayed from the truth — well-intentioned or not — to get that employee you HAD to have? Did he/she stay?
08/31/10 at 8:16 pm
Very interesting topic, Lauren. I would agree that Gen-Yers want to add content to their résumés or interview to make themselves more desirable to employers, but it’s definitely true on the employer’s part as well.
There are some requirements for a position that I may have overstated my competency in, for example knowing a foreign language or my expertise in a certain software. Could I remain competitive when everything else in my application was satisfactory, but this one thing may put me over the edge? Maybe, maybe not.
I think it was worth it for sure. I learned quickly after getting the position, and maybe I wouldn’t have had the opportunity otherwise. It’s matching the employer’s expectations, and then going beyond.
08/31/10 at 9:40 pm
Hi Sara,
Thanks for the comment! I agree that it’s how you use creative wording that matters. If you’re blatantly lying and know that you are going to be a disappointment, that’s one thing. But if you’re motivated and a fast learner and you know that you can do the job, even if unfortunate past job titles make you seem under-qualified, that’s something else! Glad it worked out for you!
Lauren
08/31/10 at 9:13 pm
Agreed – Very interesting topic.
I think one of the problems was everything Gen-Yer’s heard about the economy. While in college we heard about managers and executives being laid off and being forced to apply for some of the same lower-level positions we would be going after. While this wasn’t necessarily true, it may have been enough to cause someone to fib a little on their resume or in an interview.
08/31/10 at 9:43 pm
Great point! And you’re absolutely right. It’s like I said in the comment above — sometimes a small fib doesn’t make a bit of difference. But if you’re lying and incapable of handling the job responsibility, you’re simply wasting everyone’s time — and it is just not worth it. Hopefully talk of the “recovery” will balance things out a little better!
Thanks for the comment!
Lauren