The different working generations take very different views of the importance of various factors involved in success at work. Hiring managers already have a tough job simply replacing the large number of Baby Boomers (population 77 million) who are already retiring in increasing numbers. The Gen X workers who are replacing them have attitudes towards work not too unlike the Boomers, but they are a much smaller group (45 million), and by the time Gen Y arrives in force (80 million), their managers will have to learn to deal with a whole new set of skills, disciplines, attitudes and interests.
In the face of this generational change, coupled with changing technology, it’s more important than ever for employers to figure out the cultural aspects of the workplace in order to be able to identify, find and keep the best suited workers.
The table below is found in the 2007 Randstad USA World of Work. Some of these elements can be addressed through training, others probably not.
Perceived Elements of Success
in the Workplace |
Gen Y |
Gen X |
Baby Boomer |
Matures |
Use computers |
66% |
79% |
82% |
78% |
Meet deadlines |
62% |
75% |
77% |
84% |
Multitasking |
59% |
68% |
70% |
66% |
Willingness to learn new things |
58% |
74% |
80% |
84% |
Speak clearly and concisely |
55% |
72% |
72% |
78% |
Arriving to work on time |
53% |
56% |
62% |
66% |
Get along with people |
53% |
71% |
78% |
81% |
Organizational skills |
50% |
67% |
73% |
70% |
Write clearly and concisely |
47% |
61% |
69% |
68% |
Set priorities |
46% |
61% |
72% |
73% |
Work in groups |
44% |
46% |
48% |
42% |
Willingness to work long hours |
28% |
34% |
35% |
32% |
Lead groups |
28% |
36% |
38% |
34% |
Management skills |
28% |
45% |
54% |
56% |
Undergraduate/Bachelors degree |
25% |
30% |
28% |
31% |
Professional attire |
20% |
22% |
20% |
21% |
Technical/trade school certification |
10% |
18% |
13% |
14% |
Graduate/Masters degree or higher |
9% |
15% |
17% |
18% |
Associate’s degree |
8% |
16% |
12% |
11% |
- Generation Y is defined as adults whose birth year falls between 1980 and 1988.
- Generation X is defined as adults whose birth year falls between 1965 and 1979
- Baby Boomer is defined as adults whose birth year falls between 1946 and 1964
- Mature is defined as adults whose birth year falls before 1945.
By Edwin Dean