You know all those stereotypes about Gen Y being lazy and entitled? Sometimes, as much as it pains me to admit it, I agree with them.
A couple of months ago, I wrote an article right here on TNGG about Gen Y’s place in the corporate world. In that article, I talked about how Gen Y are the leaders of tomorrow, and that companies that want to attract great talent need to adapt their corporate cultures to make room for what’s important to Gen Y.
I recently attended a recruitment cocktail representing my employer. The event was hosted by a Montreal university, and was open to marketing and business students from all the universities in the city. I was excited to meet promising new talent and talk to candidates about their accomplishments and aspirations. I couldn’t wait to discuss the direction of our industry with people around my own age. I was waiting for a refreshing point of view.
What I got was a lot of people who led with the question, “What do you have to offer me?”
Seriously, Gen Y? In this economy, in an industry where the competition is ferocious, that’s how you open when talking to the person who could potentially hire you? By asking what he can do for you? I know we weren’t born yet, but I think we’d do well to remember and re-apply a certain famous speech by John F. Kennedy.
I kept hoping I was just running through a bad string of encounters, but as time ticked by, and I talked to more people, the same conversation kept happening: Directionless students who apparently expect companies to beg them to work for them, teach them everything they need to know about the field, and compensate them incredibly well.
I read the articles posted on this site, and in other places on the web, and I’m filled with pride at being a member of this generation. Then I go to an event like that and I have to wonder if maybe the group of people I’m so proud to be a part of isn’t really all that representative of the bigger picture.
Just as I was about to give up all hope on my generation, a guy walked up to me and shook my hand, and asked who I worked for. I answered. I told him a little bit about the company and the kinds of opportunities we had for students (given that this was apparently the only thing anyone really wanted to hear) and then asked him what he was interested in. Every other time I asked that question, I was answered with either vague platitudes, uncertainty, or a look of fright.
This guy took me by surprise as he talked to me intelligently about two or three specialties that he was particularly interested in. He talked about his experience having started up his own part time gig while in school. He held up conversation about the industry, and gave actual opinions about where it was going instead of parroting a text book. He knew that my company would be at this recruitment cocktail, and he had taken the time to look into what we were doing, and what direction we were taking and talked to me about that. At the end of it all, he handed me his resume. It was a business-card sized CD-rom with a portfolio of his previous work. In short, I was impressed.
I was not impressed by the novelty of a tiny CD-rom. I was impressed because this guy had put a hell of a lot more effort into this than anyone else I had met that night. He had gone above and beyond the classroom and had taught himself the skills that make someone a star in our industry.
I’ve met a few other young people like him. Notably, the team I built and manage. They’re a fantastic group of young individuals that are intelligent, motivated and are willing to work for the praise that they rightly deserve. However, in building that team, I also met many more people who were like those at that recruitment cocktail: Lazy and entitled.
To my team: Thank you for allowing me to believe that Gen Y is not a walking stereotype (even if my belief is misguided).
To that guy from the recruitment cocktail: Whether with us, or with someone else, you’ll find a job, and you’ll be a rockstar.
To the rest of Gen Y: Please wake up. No one is going to serve up your opportunities on a silver platter. You are graduating in a terrible economy, and you already have to contend with negative stereotypes. You may be doing incredible things, but so are a lot of your peers. Don’t expect that you can rest on your accomplishments and succeed so easily.
To older generations: I still believe in Gen Y’s potential to change the world. Give us some time. We’re still young. We can still whip the lazy and entitled ones into shape.
What a great definitive article on this truth that we are dealing with as CEO's. Much like you I am a bit cynical with reason of many in this generation. In fact, it was a topic of conversation today in our Phoenix office after yet another candidate who is about to graduate told one of my VP's that she would “consider” working for us “for $150K to start.” Certainly there are rockstars in the mix (of course, that goes without saying,) but I concur that for every 10 I meet there is usually only one that isn't approaching the market from the wrong angle. I have inquired to some of these candidates where they were taught their “what will YOU give ME” approach – and sadly, most of them have indicated that their advisors in college are telling them that they should act this way. Historically, my firm has hired high school interns instead of college interns. This is in part because I got my start in high school, and in part because all of our high school interns have excelled beyond belief without attitude or impedance. Anyway, great blog. Please keep me informed of any new stories you have: good or bad.
Amanda Vega
http://www.amandavega.com
excellent article! Well said!
I think the stereotype that Gen Y is lazy is more of a general stereotype that older generations have always made of younger generations. For example Gen X was known as a slacker generation back in the 90s/80s – the film Wayne's World illustrates this very well. And then the boomers themselves were always accused of being the “me generation” and taking too much time to find themselves. Frankly I see older slackers all the time – and if you looked at any tech startup or the battlefields of Afghanistan I'd bet you see a very impressive side of Gen Y.
Another great article Adam. Glad you didn't go easy on the sloths of our generation, as there are a fair amount of them. I enjoy a healthy balance of work & play, but the amount of folks with a strong sense of entitlement is staggering to me at times. Growing up through two decades of non-stop pay-for-it-later consumerism has clearly had an effect on folks and, in my eyes, the entire culture is suffering because of this. Lots of folks lack the work ethic, variety of practical skills, and the humility that one needs to compete in the ever global labor market. Unless you're on a concert tour or live in a remote monastery where you contemplate metaphysics, you are neither a rock star nor a guru. You probably never will be.
Thanks again for not pulling any punches!
I've been thinking a lot about this lately mostly in light of some encounters with members of our generation. I've always been proud of been a Millennial and I am still proud of it, however, I've learned not to be too hopeful about our generation in general.
I work with Gen Xers to plan events for college students for one of my jobs. For the other one, I am supposedly helping Gen Y to get involved with peacemaking. Every day I hear my Gen X colleagues complain about Millennials being lazy and entitled and I tried to fight these negative stereotypes. I read all these research reports about who Gen Y is and I always think “How did they find the participants for this research? That is not a representative sample of my generation!” I also meet a lot of Gen Yers for my work, not to mention the fact that I am still in school. I get to observe Gen Y in different situations and sometimes I am really disappointed. Lately I've started to believe that many of us are lazy and entitled (not all). It is really hard for me to type these words, but they are true for so many of us.
The other problem is that we think we are doing amazing things. Others think that Gen Y is doing amazing things. But that is not always the case. A small percentage of us, the ones you see on the web, in action volunteering for a non-profit organization or managing their own startup company, and read about in feature stories, have the spirit and the desire to change the world. That small percentage of us does incredible things that make me feel proud of being a Millennial. But the majority of us, especially the ones in college, only care about what to do to pass their classes with minimum work and where to get drunk tonight.
The fact that we grew up in prosperous times and our parents catered to every single wish we had doesn't mean that the world owes us anything. With more humility and work we can and will change the world. And I hope we do, but I am not sure if it will happen soon.
Great post, Adam! As always.
Amanda – it's absolutely fantastic to get the POV of someone who's on the recruiting side of the table, and their impressions of Gen Y. It's easy for a bunch of Millennials to sit around and say, “Yeah, we're none of those bad things people say about us,” but to get the unbiased view of someone who would be hiring this generation is of true value.
Gen Y – take note! Amanda COULD be your next boss.
Thanks, Lynn!
Hey Michael – I see your point that older generations just kind of take for granted that the younger generation is lazy. And I agree that there are some impressive people that are part of Gen Y (many of them write and comment right here on this site), however my point is that maybe those impressive people are the exception rather than the rule as we like to tell ourselves.
Thanks for your comment!
Thanks, Scott. Although, I *do* think there are “stars” out there (I despise the term guru). After all, I wouldn't be able to justify my enormous ego if I didn't think that.
Glad you liked the note. Just offering the truth, just like you. Have you
read “Generation Me” yet? It gives some trutful and good insight on that
generation – and not just all bad either. I found it interesting.
Thanks for the great comment, Addy.
One thing to be clear on, though, it would be hypocritical of me to preach humility since I think humility is often overrated. What I will preach is reserving cockiness for once you've actually *done* something impressive. If you have accomplished things, swagger on. If you *can* accomplish things, but haven't yet, then put and shut up.
At least that's how I feel.
Haven't read it, but largely because what I've heard about it is that it's a largely lopsided analysis, and that it simply reinforces existing stereotypes. I take it you got a different take-away from the book?
Oh jeez, it's true… My generation–whom I hold so dear to me–can sometimes be Ryan from The Office.
Maybe I'm biased by personal experience, but I feel that the truly inspired “rockstar” type of employee doesn't remain an employee for long anyway. If you're really running on rocket-fuel talent, you'll likely stay with a company a year or two, learn its secrets and its shortcomings, then transition into life as a young entrepreneur doing the-same-thing-but-better. I started as an unpaid college intern at my job, and three years later I'm a partner, so I must have some kinda talent, but I didn't waltz into the place and start making demands. I've worked really hard for a very small, very fragile company, and I take my work home every night. And I think too many of us unique and talented snowflakes think that style and charisma can compensate for a work performance that is truly average.
I'm sure I could be paid $$$ or maybe even $$$$ (as Yelp puts it) but I'm much happier being self-employed and earning $. Millennials have every right to be success-oriented, but come on–I'm 23 years old! Who am I to ask for a six-figure salary and the corner office??
Not to mention — who are we to WANT all the responsibility of a six-figure salary and corner office at 23?
I'm not saying we shouldn't be driven and dedicated, because we should, but we have our whole working lives to get that. Sometimes being part of an awesome team is better than being the boss.
In any case, Adam — awesome article! Part of me wonders if this cockiness isn't just something we'll grow out of eventually (like someone else said, it seems to be something older generations always say about younger ones), or a defense mechanism for being nervous and a little overwhelmed. Either way, you've always got to remember — you are one in a million (OK, maybe like 100) candidates. A company can have anyone they want. You'll only get the what-they-can-do-for-you perks if you can make them see what you can do for them first.
Awesome point, Lauren. Since my first part time job, I've had many bosses tell me, “Y'know, you're never going to be happy until you work for yourself.” While I've already proven that to be false by finding my current job, it raises an interesting point. If Millennials truly think they're so great, why do they bother knocking on the door of the big corporations, anyway? After all, the new job security is working for yourself – you know you'll never get fired.
Maybe that's the answer. Be as cocky as you want, but prove you can do it on your own.
Thanks for the comment, Angela. As for who wants to have the responsibility of the corner office – well, to be honest, I do. I don't mind working my ass off for that responsibility, though, which is the part that I think is missing in a lot of the candidates that I've seen so far. Thanks again!
Another Article to add “food” for thought:
Hipsters on food stamps
They're young, they're broke, and they pay for organic salmon with government subsidies. Got a problem with that?
http://www.salon.com/life/pinched/2010/03/15/hi…
Scott, great article, everyone else, it's really sad to think anyone would believe they are entitled in these times, with job loss and debt hanging over heads. Yet, there are so many ways that we (people, corporations, government, non-profits) have operated under policies that don't work because of the status quo. If anything, we should all work to be more efficient, passionate, helpful and less wasteful so profits can be made and people can take pride in their work. In the meantime, as Millenials, we should be willing to come in, learn why a place works how it does, then start small with changing and improving the culture if needed or even building on what already works
You have highlighted many important points about Gen Y. I got reminded of this video post which you might be interested to see. “Jack in the box” http://www.vineetnayar.com/jack-in-the-box/
I just found this blog post today. My thoughts on the matter are two fold.
1) I don't really like being labeled by the stereotypes of this generation. However then I discover these labels aren't just of my generation, but the same labels that were applied to every generation. It's true, the next time a boomer tells you about your feelings of entitlement and limited experience and needing to prove yourself, ask him or her, and when you entered the work place did your parents generations not feel the same about you? When they bring up that you think you are better than the establishment, ask them about Elvis Pressley, Haight-Ashbury, Woodstock, draft card burning. See the responses you get then, before you let them run you down for raising you the way you are and then telling you your not ready when you hit the workplace. Last time I checked Boomers raised and educated Gen Y, so perhaps that's why we are also known as Echo Boomers.
2) Why not feel entitled? Everything about the corporate structure that exists today is geared around GETTING YOURS. So why pretend that's not what we are all after. I know, I know we care about community and the environment and all that but we also care about getting the hell out of our parents homes, making it on our own, and having the niceties that our “keeping up with the jones's” boomer parents let us have… which we know weren't FREE. So I say keep asking for yours, people who don't end up like the 10% statistics… heck the economy is so bad even those who got theirs ended up in that same top 10%, so where is the harm. Don't tip toe around what you want… Tell em, I want money, I want responsibility, I want everything you told me I could have and if they don't give it to you… wait a few years until the older Millennials like me are in charge and we'll make sure you get it.
Now with all that said. Here is my next thought do have some social cop on. Not everyone is going to feel the way I do. Like Adam says, be impressive don't look to be impressed.
I will RT a month later!
Cheers!