A+ Job Skills for Generation Y

Posted by Rhodema | 0 comments

My teens recently toured backstage at a Broadway theater. A lead actor from the play Wicked gave this advice to aspiring young actors,”Work hard. If you can get in your mind that the world doesn’t owe you a job or money, you will be ahead in the job hunt.” He went on to tell about his disappointment with the new generation’s lack of motivation to put in extra effort. “They want high salaries without the long hours of work.”

Our teens are part of Generation Y, or the Millennial Generation. They are defined as young people born between 1979 and 1994. They are digitally savvy and used to constant contact and instant feedback. Whether we agree or not, today’s younger generation has a reputation of believing they are entitled to high salaries and interesting jobs that won’t interfere with their personal lives. They are also characterized as having a lack of respect for the older generation.

Although generation gaps have always existed, today’s gap is so wide that the young people are called Technical Natives while those in the older generation are known as Technical Immigrants. Most middle-aged adults can text and e-mail, but if they want to do much else, they must find a teenager to help. Computer lingo seems to be the native tongue of our youth.

These differences impact teenagers as they seek to enter the work force. Strengths in the younger generation can become liabilities without job skill training. Never has this teaching been so important. The unemployment rate is over 10% for adults. In some places, it is double that for teens. Competition for after school jobs is steep. The jobs will go to those who know how to conduct themselves in an interview and how to interact with older employers.

I recently spoke with an area McDonald’s upper-level manager. She agreed that today’s youth come to the job with certain gaps in their skills. “They are very technically savvy, but they’re not used to manual labor. I have to teach them how to work hard. This generation requires more motivation than the young people of the past.”

I asked her if she had advice for teens as they go out on a job interview. “They need to remember that presentation is everything. How they dress, speak, and fill out the application are still as important as ever. The younger generation does not care about appearances, but they need to remember that they’re interviewing with an older generation that does value professional attire and behavior.”

What we consider basic common sense for on-the-job behavior still needs to be taught to our children. We will do our children a huge favor by reviewing job search skills while addressing specific problem areas pertaining to the Generation Y mentality.

Search the Internet for desirable employee traits and you will find promptness, reliability, honesty, and friendliness mentioned often. What do these qualities look like in the interview and early weeks on the job? Following is a list of pointers to go over with your young adult:

Talking Point for Teens:

• Dress professionally when you go out and apply for jobs. Different jobs require different attire. You would look odd applying at a food service job wearing a suit. The best rule to follow is to dress a little better for the interview than you would for a day on the job. Make sure your clothes are neat and clean. Do not wear t-shirts with offensive slogans. Flip-flops and tattered jeans are cool but not for interviews or work.

• Be prepared to fill out applications. Have a list of references and their contact information. It is best to discuss this with the references beforehand and have their approval before listing their names. If you have worked previously, have the employer’s address and phone number. Don’t sell yourself short. If you have experience through scouts or volunteer projects, list those under experience. You want to have your social security card with you when you apply.

• Practice interviewing. Hold a practice interview with your parents so you will be more prepared. Many Websites offer typical interview questions that you can use. Several teens and their parents could get together for mock interviews.

• Be on time. Be a little early, but do not be late.

• Turn off your cell phone during the interview or better yet, leave it in the car. Although your peers perceive phone calls or texts as acceptable interruptions when you talk, it is a job interview killer.

• Good old fashioned manners never go out of style. A firm hand shake while looking the potential employer in the eye are rare among young people. Thank the interviewer and consider a follow-up thank you note. Remember, they have done you a favor by taking time to interview you. You are not doing them a favor by coming in to apply.

• Follow up with a polite phone call if you have not heard from them in the time they stated. If you are turned down, thank them for the chance to apply and interview. Don’t burn any bridges; you don’t know what opportunities may open up in the future.

You’ve landed a job, now what? Certain skills will help you keep it.

• Always arrive on time with an attitude that says, “I am ready to work.”

• Remember that employers have paid for your full attention during work hours. It is not time to talk on the phone or text. You are hired to work, not visit with other employees.

• Never complain about your job, boss, or employer in front of customers or other employees. It will usually come back to haunt you.

• Use sick days sparingly. You don’t want to gain a reputation as being undependable.

• Address customers with friendliness and respect and look them in the eye.

• Be willing to work hard at your job and learn new skills. Be a self-starter and one who can finish projects without constant oversight.

With pointers from parents, practice interviews, and a warning list of job taboos, I believe our teens will be in high demand in the workplace.

What experiences have you had in your family with working teens from Generation Y? What advice would you add?

Resource List:

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

Young Person’s Career Skills Handbook

Websites:

therebelution.com – Alex and Brett Harris

About.com – Career Planning – Teen Job Skills

Jist Publishing – America’s Career Publishers

Job Interview Strategies for Teens Part I

Job Interview Strategies for Teens Part II

Rhodema lives the parenting adventure with Calvin, her college sweetheart. They have two adult daughters and two teenagers still at home, a girl and a boy. Their homeschool style is eclectic with a great love of living history books. Rhodema teaches women’s Bible studies and is a MOPS speaker. Her blog for moms is Herding Worms.