We’ve all heard the generalizations of Gen Y before: they feel entitled to a satisfying career, they’re too dependent on technology, they have the attention span of a fish, etc. But what if these “problems” were actually a good thing?
Every generation has their individual advantages. While many view the personality traits of Gen Y as a bad thing, they may be able to put Gen Y at a competitive career advantage against members of other generation groups. Here’s why:
Up-to-date generation
Generation Y may be dependent on the Web and social networks, but that’s not a bad thing. Some statistics indicate that this generation is on social networks like Twitter “all the time.” Though this may not always be for job searching or learning about an industry, it’s not too far fetched to assume that Gen Y is up-to-date with news, trends, and sharing—three things that may be needed to stay on top of your game.
Innovative portfolios
Work portfolios may be the modern day resume. So, who better to embrace this new visual storyboard than Gen Y? After all, this generation embraces images, endorsements, feedback, as well as their reputation. All of these elements can go into a work portfolio, which makes Gen Y’rs look good. These work portfolios also help Gen Y manage their career inside the organization—helping them get promoted and recognized for a job well done, and enhancing their professional brand.
Showing off is a good thing
Some argue that members of Generation Y are narcissistic and obsessed with standing out. But, what if this could actually work to their advantage? Let’s look at it from the perspective of an employer. Ultimately, they want to know why a candidate would be an asset to an organization. The only way they can know this is if they see numbers, reports, endorsements, etc. Gen Y, who are naturals at displaying their strengths, have a competitive career advantage because many aren’t shy away from showing off their results, both personally and professionally. It’s not so much about being boastful, it’s about displaying why you’re good, which something no one should hide.
Finally, if you would like to learn more about WorkCompass and our performance management software. Get in touch today and request a demo.
