The Top 5 Rules for Gen Y Communication
Differences in communication styles can be a huge challenge in the workplace. Our bosses keep calling us to set up a meeting, and we keep texting them to say, "k thx c u @430!!!!!" Fundamental differences in how generations were raised as well as technological advances have forever altered how each of us chooses to communicate. Generation Y's preferences are: 1) texting, 2) e-mail, 3) social media, 4) face-to-face, and 5) phone calls. You know this is true if you've ever tried to get a Gen Y'er to answer their mobile phone.
Why do your Millennial employees converse the way that they do, and how can you use this pattern to your advantage? The Center for Generational Kinetics presents (drum roll, please):
Top 5 Rules for Gen Y Communication
1. Tell us to read the whole e-mail.
I'm not joking. Gen Y only reads the subject line! We can go through a ridiculous amount of e-mail in an hour because we apply the "twitter filter" to our inbox. We gauge importance at a glance, and will only open an e-mail if we know that it demands a response. In fact, the best way to get us to read an entire e-mail is to explicitly write, "Read this entire e-mail," in the subject line. Caveat: If the information in e-mails labeled with this Gen Y signpost turns out to not be crucial, we will quit listening to the boy who cried wolf.
Any e-mail with the following subject lines will immediately be deleted:
• Thank You for using [service]
• [Season] is here!
• Fwd: Fwd: Fwd: re: [anything]
2. The pointier the bullet, the better.
Now that we've opened your e-mail, the first thing we look for are quick bullet points. Millennials will try to discern the contents of an entire message from the first two bullet points they scan across. We refer to paragraphs as, "Walls of Text." If you really, really need us to read every word, lead your Walls of Text with bold opening sentences. We will decide if said Wall of Text is pertinent to our situation based on those words, so choose them carefully.
Never, ever put critical instructions at the end of a paragraph.
3. If your e-mails have only a subject line, you are actually sending text messages. Just switch devices, and there will be much rejoicing. This also works for one or two-line emails. Trust me; you will get a much quicker response when using Gen Y's favorite communication medium.
4. If your meetings require no decisions or discussion, you are actually sending e-mails. Being stuck in a meeting puts us in a distressing catch-22. How can we be polite and immediately respond to text messages while also being polite and not texting during a meeting?
Generation Y is the guru of group projects. We never call a meeting if an e-mail would spread the information just as easily. On the other hand, Baby Boomers call meetings just in case something worth discussing comes up. Generation Y wants to call a meeting only if we are certain that a decision must be discussed by the group.
5. A phone call is an invasion of privacy.
Generation Y hates calling people on the phone because we innately feel that texting is less invasive. Because we have spent more time texting our friends, we prefer to outsource casual interactions (such as scheduling, quick questions, and service conversations with strangers) to technology.
In case you're worried, we are still capable of deep, meaningful conversation. However, we prefer to reserve this sort of engagement for personal friends and family. Like many aspects of Gen Y's life, we gravitate towards extremes: we like our casual to be extremely superficial, and we like our serious to be with those we care about the most.
Baby Boomers and most Generation Xers first met text messaging and e-mail in the office, whereas Generation Y encountered these technologies on the playground or in the playroom. Baby Boomers see communication devices as productivity tools, whereas Generation Y sees them as recreational items that are constantly available at our fingertips. As a result, Gen Y emphasizes the casual over the formal, the convenient over the thorough, and the impersonal over the personal. Great conversationalists adjust how they talk based on who they are talking to. Helping people give their maximum value in the workplace begins with understanding them, and every generation communicates differently. A stronger, more efficient relationship with your Gen Y employees may be just a text message away. Or, at least, a faster response time to all those voice-mails you've been leaving.
Source: The Center for Generation Kinetics
http://www.genhq.com/GYRE5
Source: Jason Ryan Dorsey, Gen Y Info
http://www.jasondorsey.com/
Top 10 Social Media Do's and Don'ts: How (and How Not) to Use Social Media to Job Search
Social media, including sites like Twitter and Facebook, can help you find a job and connect with people who can assist you with growing your career. However, it works both ways. Social media when used the wrong way can backfire and jeopardize a job offer or even your current job. It's important to be careful and consider what you shouldn't do, as well as what you should do, when using social media to job search.
1. Do Create an Online Presence
When you're looking for a job or positioning yourself for career growth, it's important to have an online presence where you can showcase your skills and experience. Your online profiles will also help you connect with contacts who can expedite your job search and assist you with moving up the career ladder.
2. Do Be Consistent
Does the employment history on your resume match what's on your LinkedIn profile? Does the information you have on your Facebook page (if it's public) match up with the information you have elsewhere online? It's fine if you rework your job descriptions, for example, because targeting your resume is a good thing when applying for job. What's not okay is if your job titles, companies, and dates don't jive. That's a red flag for prospective employers.
3. Don't Get Fired
Employers are checking out candidates on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. If you post it, I guarantee someone will read it and that very well could be the wrong person i.e. a hiring manager. Posting company business (good or bad) and posting inappropriate information on Facebook are just a couple of examples of what can get you in trouble, or even cost you your job, especially when you do it from work.
4. Do Google Your Name and Check What's Online
There's a ton of information that can tell employers a lot about you online including tweets, instant message, blogs, and the content and photos you post on social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. It's quite easy for employers to find information you may have preferred to keep private. Much of it can be found by Googling your name.
5. Do Be Careful What You Tweet
Be really careful what you tweet. You don't know who might read it. Search Twitter for "I hate my job" for an example of what I mean. Hiring managers and bosses are using Twitter, too, and if you say it, someone will probably read it. Tweets show up in Google search and you don't want to lose your job because you didn't think before you tweeted, even if you hate it.
6. Don't Forget Your Facebook Privacy Settings
Here's an example of what can happen when you aren't careful about your privacy settings on Facebook. I received photos of a third party from one of my Facebook Friends. She was able to send me photos of her friends, because they didn't limit who their photos were shared with. I was able to see photos of someone I didn't know simply because the person wasn't careful about her privacy settings. If I was an employer, I wouldn't have been impressed - she was having a really, really good time.
7. Do Network Before You Need To
Build your network well in advance of when you need it. Make connections in your industry and career field. Follow career experts. Talk to your contacts on Twitter or the other networking sites. Join Groups on LinkedIn and Facebook, post and join the discussion. Be engaged and proactive in your communications. By building a network in advance, you won't have to scramble if you unexpectedly lose your job or decide it's time to move on.
8. Do Give to Get
In a nutshell, give to get. Networking works both ways - the more you are willing to help someone else, the more likely they will be to help you. Take some time every day to reach out to your connections. Write a recommendation on LinkedIn, offer to introduce them to another connection, share an article or news with them. Giving to get really does work - your connections are more likely to return the favor when you've offered to help them.
9. Don't Connect With Everyone
There is a school of thought that says you should connect with everyone when you're using social media. I don't agree. Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to connecting. The first question you should ask yourself when making connections is how can the person help me? The second question is what can I do to help them? Before you ask someone to connect, consider what you have in common. That common denominator, regardless of what it is, is what's going to help with your job search.
10. Don't Spend Time Online on Your Boss's Dime
The temptation, of course, when you're job searching is to spend time looking at job postings, perhaps uploading your resume to apply, talking to contacts, or posting about the trials and tribulations of your job search on Facebook page. If you were to do that, you certainly wouldn't be the first (or the only) person to do so. Many people job search from work, but given the way companies monitor employees it's not wise to use your work computer or email account for job searching. Or, if you do, be really careful how you do it.
SOURCE: By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/onlinecareernetworking/tp/socialmediajobsearch.htm
7 Fun Jobs For Extroverts
Are you an extrovert who doesn't shy away from confrontation? The type who would intervene to settle friends' arguments? Would you tell someone not to cut the line in the supermarket? Or maybe you don't mind telling a co-worker to stop stealing your Diet Coke from the office fridge? Bottom line: You can handle situations where confrontation and stress are certain to occur. Here are seven jobs for people who don't shy away from confrontation. Could you handle one of these jobs?
1. Chefs and head cooks *
Could you handle it? Chefs and head cooks direct kitchen staff and oversee the daily food preparation for their establishment. Most work in tight spaces, with a lot of interaction in a fast-paced environment. Menus can change daily and so can the kitchen team. The customer is always right, even if he sends back the dish you spent 30 minutes preparing. If you can't handle the heat, this kitchen's not for you.
Median annual pay: $40,630
2. Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
Could you handle it? EMTs and paramedics respond to medical emergencies first and remain cool under pressure. Rushing to car accidents, responding to 911 calls and providing immediate medical attention are standard in this fast-paced profession. While job training and experience are huge assets to this position, a natural confidence for handling confrontation well is a major plus. Being able to administer help and lead in a chaotic situation could mean the difference between life and death.
Median annual pay: $30,360
3. Human-resources specialists
Could you handle it? Human-resources specialists recruit, screen, interview and place workers at companies. However, they're best known for handling employee relations and payroll. On a daily basis, you'll need to manage confrontation, disagreements, ex-employee social-media rants and medical-benefits arguments. Remaining professional and handling the situation calmly are key.
Median annual pay: $52,690
4. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
Could you handle it? Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists supervise and assist offenders in rehabilitation, working toward a normal, crime-free life. You can help those you work with make positive changes in their lives, and you will need the ability to enforce rules and expectations. Offenders may come with a lot of baggage, and you'll need to inspire them to commit to a new way of life.
Median annual pay: $47,200
5. Registered nurses
Could you handle it? Aside from providing and organizing health care for patients, registered nurses also offer emotional support to patients and their families. Being able to comfort, console and cheer on patients and their loved ones while also controlling chaotic situations is crucial. Emotions will run high, and handling confrontation well makes the patients', families' and the nurse's experience easier.
Median annual pay: $64,690
6. Social workers
Could you handle it? Direct-service social workers help people work through their everyday life issues, while clinical social workers treat mental, behavioral and emotional problems. Both types interact with people who are under stress and dealing with overwhelming problems. Handling confrontation is necessary for patients to progress. Addressing deeper issues with clients starts with confronting their behavior and problem-solving.
Median annual pay: $42,480
7. Umpires, referees and other sports officials
Could you handle it? Umpires and referees preside over competitive athletic events and decide penalties for rule violations. Confrontation will come from all directions: Athletes, coaches, fans and spectators will vocalize their opinions on how the game is being officiated. Angry spectators yelling, parents screaming and athletes and coaches disputing your call will be a part of every game, so handling confrontation and remaining fair are necessary.
Median annual pay: $22,480
*Job descriptions and median annual pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source: By Susan Ricker, Writer and Blogger for CareerBuilder.com, August 10, 2012
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/08/10/7-fun-jobs-for-extroverts/
10 Jobs for Introverts
As an introvert, finding a position where you can really shine while working on individual projects can seem challenging. But with some research, you'll find plenty of positions where your skills and personal contributions are valued. Many jobs include opportunities for some teamwork as well as the kind of independent work that allows introverts to recharge. No matter which industry you consider, companies are eager for self-starters who are able to work independently.
Here are 10 great jobs for introverts:
1. Software engineer
Average annual salary: $97,581*
Analytical in nature, most software engineers enjoy the opportunity to figure out complicated solutions on their own. The option to work on a consulting basis is another perk of the position. Engineers also enjoy the challenge of their job since they must constantly learn new technologies and keep skills up-to-date.
2. Pharmacist
Average annual salary: $117,475
For those with introverted personalities, pharmacy offers plenty of time for introspection but isn't a job that's entirely closed off from people -- most pharmacists must still deal with patients on a daily basis. Many pharmacists also appreciate the contemplative and life changing nature of their work.
3. Accountant
Average annual salary: $59,159
With plenty of time to figure out complex problems, many accountants love their time alone while poring over spreadsheets. The analytical nature of the position and the constant challenges make it a great fit for introverts. Accounting also requires impeccable attention to detail because even small mistakes can significantly hurt clients.
4. Paralegal
Average annual salary: $62,853
Paralegals often draft contracts, do research and sift through records. The job is rewarding for those who love research and don't need the buzz of constant interaction with a team. Since some guidance is provided, the career is a great steppingstone to other areas of the legal field.
5. Graphic designer
Average annual salary: $60,311
Often working flexible hours, graphic designers work individually to finish creative projects for various clients. Most designers relish the creativity that the field brings and do their best work almost entirely on their own. Graphic designers value the intersection of art and technology that the career brings.
6. Artist
Average annual salary: $43,984
Without managers or co-workers peeking over your shoulder, artists of any type relish working alone and producing one-of-a-kind work. Most of their interaction with others comes when the work is ready for display or to be put up for sale, so sales skills are a must.
7. Translator
Average annual salary: $56,266
The autonomy that comes with translating languages can be a draw for those looking to work for themselves. Many translators work on multiple projects at once and often manage their own deadlines. While most translators work for agencies, other form their own small businesses.
8. Technical writer
Average annual salary $70,306
Putting together technical copy can be a great job for introverts. Most writing projects are done on an individual basis and require infrequent interaction with supervisors, often without the need for an office. Technical writers must also be comfortable using references to put together their work.
9. Market research analyst
Average annual salary: $71,123
Looking into market trends to help understand consumer opinions can be a great position for introverts who are interesting in marketing. Research analysts do anything from one-off studies to extensive research around an area of consumer interest. Analyzing data is a significant part of their day.
10. Civil engineer
Average annual salary: $81,738
Although working in teams is part of the job description, civil engineers must do the bulk of their work individually. Civil engineers work on anything from tunnels to highways and supervise construction of this type of infrastructure.
*Average annual salary information from CB salary.com
Source: By Alina Dizik, Special to CareerBuilder
June 28, 2011
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2669-Job-Info-and-Trends-10-jobs-for-introverts/
Trends: More Hospitals Requiring Nurses to Have Bachelor’s Degrees
Registered nurses (RNs) train for the field by earning a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree, or a diploma in nursing from an approved nursing program. Graduates of all three paths are known as graduate nurses and must take a licensing exam in their state to obtain the RN designation. This system of educational preparation has been in place for years, but the New York Times reports that an increasing number of hospitals (which offer some of the highest pay for RNs) are requiring that their nurses have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Some hospitals will hire non-baccalaureate-degree RNs with stipulation that they earn their bachelor’s degree in a specific period of time. Additionally, some hospitals are phasing out licensed practical nurses (LPNs), who are qualified to perform fewer nursing duties than registered nurses. LPNs are still in demand, but they will increasingly work in nonhospital settings.
This development has fueled nursing enrollment at four-year colleges—especially those that have created RN-to-BSN programs. Many community colleges that offer associate-degree programs in nursing are working with four-year colleges to transition students to a baccalaureate degree. Others, such as Miami Dade College (one of the largest community colleges in the nation), are obtaining permission to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing to meet growing demand.
Earning higher educational credentials pays off for most nurses. The median annual salary for RNs was $65,950 in May 2011—much higher than the medians for LPNs ($41,150) and all workers ($45,230). Salary.com reports the following salary ranges for advanced practice nurses by specialty in July 2012: certified nurse-midwives, $78,423 to $107,497; clinical nurse specialists, $74,666 to $104,463; nurse anesthetist, $139,720 to $177,190; and nurse practitioners, $78,748 to $104,224.
Source: New York Times, June 24, 2012: US Department of Labor
Source: CAM REPORT Facts and Trends, Volume 35; November 16, 2012
Emerging Career: Internet Content Curators
The Internet has changed the way we live our lives, the way we communicate with our friends, the way we research and purchase products, and the way we access and use information. That’s well and good, but at no time in the history of the world has there been so much information available to people. In fact, Fast Company reports that on a typical day on the Internet, 250 million photos are uploaded to Facebook, 294 billion emails are sent, and 864,000 hours of video are uploaded. These numbers don’t even include the constant updating of news and entertainment sites, wiki entries, company and nonprofit information, blogs, Tweets, and other Internet content. Whew! That’s a lot of information to process! And, unfortunately the quality of information varies greatly online, and many people don’t have the time to screen content and choose what’s best for their needs.
Enter the Internet content curator, an individual or organization that continually searches the web to find the best information about a particular topic, and presents this information to users. (Curiously, to the editors at the CAM Report, this sounds like one of the tasks that traditional editors do, just online.) Pinterest, the two-year-old visual clipping and publishing platform, is one example of a content curating site, but companies and individuals are also getting into the act. Some content curators aim to organize the web as hobby; others work for social media firms, companies that seek to collect and present information on a particular topic to strengthen their brand or assist their workers, or independently, with a goal of selling advertising at their sites as their reputation grows for curating excellent content about a topic.
Content curation jobs are beginning to be listed at employment sites, such as Indeed.com, although the career is so young that these jobs are not yet well-known. A group of curators and bloggers have even proposed a Curator’s Code, which seeks to establish a standard for content attribution across the internet. It can be read at
http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/03/09/curators-code/
http://curatorscode.org/
Rohit Bhargava, a founding member of the 360 Digital Influence Group at Ogilvy, a global public relations agency, says that content curation has a bright future. He says that “in a world submerged by a flood of information, content curators may provide in the coming months and years a new, tremendously valuable service to anyone looking for quality information online: a personalized, qualified selection of the best and most relevant content and resources on a very specific topic or theme.”
Source: Fast Company, April 20, 2012; “Content Curation: Why is the Content Curator the Key Emerging Online Editorial Role of the Future?:” by Rohit Bhargava
Source: CAM REPORT Facts and Trends, Volume 35; November 15, 2012
Fast-Growing Industries Offer Good Job Opportunities
Employment in many industries is declining or only growing moderately as a result of the economic downturn, but some industries are actually poised to enjoy excellent growth in the next few years. Here are four fast-growing industries:
Big Data
Why Growing?: We live in an electronic world, and every move we make (what we buy online, who we “friend” on Facebook, what we purchase via credit card, or even a visit to a pharmacy or doctor’s office) generates massive amounts of data that companies and other organizations long to get their hands on. Big data companies “make sophisticated tools that mine and analyze information to help businesses better understand their markets and customers.” Big data companies had sales of $3.2 billion in 2009, and revenue in the industry is expected to reach $17 billion in 2015—growth that will be seven times faster than the overall Information Technology industry.
Popular Careers: Computer Programmers, Data Mining Analysts, Marketing Research Analysts, Software Designers
Mobile and Social Gaming
Why Growing?: Angry Birds and Words With Friends are just two off the hot games being played online and via mobile devices. The industry has almost come out of nowhere as broadband access has increased and more people (especially women) have begun using social media. Subscription revenue in the US social-media gaming industry reached $2.8 billion in 2009, according to market research firm Pike & Fischer, and revenue is expected to grow to $5 billion by 2015. Pike & Fischer predicts that the number of subscribers who pay to participate in online gaming will increase from 19.4 million in late 2009 to 44.5 million by the end of 2014.
Popular Careers: Video Game Developers, Application Developers
Internet Publishing and Broadcasting
Why Growing?: People are increasingly going online to read books, watch video, listen to online radio stations or streaming music, and watch television. Internet broadcasting and publishing will grow by 16 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the US Department of Labor, as “these services gain market share from newspaper and other, more traditional media.” E-book sales comprise about 10 percent of revenue for major publishers, and this percentage is growing steadily. About 105 million people in the United States viewed online daily in 2011, according to “Surviving the Upfronts in a Cross-Media World,” an increase of 30 percent since 2010.
Popular Careers: Digital Producers, Writers, and Editors; Podcasters; Bloggers
Residential Construction
Why Growing?: This may come as a surprise to people in certain economically depressed areas, but Plunkett Research reports that “new single-family housing starts are expected to reach 360,000 this year, an 18 percent increase from 2011.” Opportunities are available at companies of all sizes, from small remodeling contractors to large construction firms. Hot growth areas include Washington State, New Orleans, and Texas, according to IBISWorld, a market research firm. Industry revenue is expected to exceed $303 billion by 2017—an increase of 63 percent from expected sales this year.
Popular Careers: Construction Managers and Workers; Real Estate Agents
Source: Inc., June 2012
Source: CAM REPORT Facts and Trends, Volume 35; November 15, 2012