From the Baby Boomers to Generations X and Y, job seekers are branching out in new ways to land their ideal job. A new study released in September by Millennial Branding and Beyond.com announced how different generations have searched for jobs.
More than 5,000 job seekers were surveyed: 742 Generation Y (18-29 years old), 1,676 Generation X (30-47 years old) and 2,850 Baby Boomers (48-67).
The study shows that the generations surveyed are spending more of their job-searching time online and transitioning away from offline approaches, such as bulletin boards or newspaper ads. Those surveyed searched 5-20 hours per week. Online Job boards ranked No. 1 as the best resource found online.
Baby Boomers lead younger generations in job searching online with 96 percent, followed by Generation X at 95 percent and Generation Y at 92 percent.
Baby Boomer and Weber State University business management graduate Rusty Clifford said he would start his search online by first visiting online job boards and sites.
“I would only look; I’d never apply for a job online, though,” Clifford said. “I think that’s one thing that needs to be done in person, not on a computer.”
Utah Department of Workforce Services offers online information for job seekers as well as employers. They offer in-house computers linked to the Internet as well as their website. Access is granted to anyone, so that those without a computer at home can come in and search online.
Paul Neilson, born in Generation X, who attended WSU’s pre-pharmacy program, has used Workforce Services in the past and said he found it simple and convenient.
“Having the computer there and already logged in and linked with their database made the job search go smooth,” Neilson said.
The Baby Boomers might use the Internet the most, but they are the slowest at finding jobs. Job searching can take more than a year for 25 percent of Baby Boomers and 17 percent of Generation X. Generation Y is the fastest; 33 percent are able to find a job within the first month. Those born in Generation Y are the most optimistic when it comes to searching for a job, and 88 percent believe they will be able to find a job in a timely manner. Baby Boomers are not as optimistic; 65 percent feel their age sets them up for discrimination in today’s job market.
Social networking is now making an appearance in the job hunt. Google Plus is the top social networking site used in Generations Y and X, while Baby Boomers are turning toward LinkedIn. Facebook came in third and Twitter came in last.
“I’ve seen friends post job requests on Facebook,” said Timothy Black, WSU sophomore. “I’ve never taken them seriously; I wouldn’t want to work for my friends.”
Landing a job is more difficult than ever before, and education is a deciding factor in many job markets. This emphasis on education causes job seekers to consider heading back to school. Generation Y considers this the most at 48 percent and Baby Boomers at 23 percent. Almost a third of those surveyed consider starting up their own business as an alternative to carrying on the job search.
“Finding a job is hard, but I think the harder you work, the better your results,” Clifford said. “It’s not easy for anyone.”
