Baby Boomers Say Getting a Job Is Harder Today

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice


Baby boomers and millennials often disagree on how to achieve career success, but a Heartland Monitor Poll found both generations believe people just getting started in life have a harder time than usual finding a job. The new poll analyzed responses taken from people ages 18 to 29 and ages 30 and older to ascertain the feelings of both generations.

In the younger demographic, 68 percent of respondents felt it is harder for young people to get started in life. For older Americans, approximately 80 percent of respondents believed millennials have a more difficult road ahead to career success as compared to earlier generations. Both generations felt starting a family, finding a job that pays well, living in desirable housing conditions and managing debt are more difficult now than they were when baby boomers worked. The survey polled 1,100 American adults between May 17 and 27, 2015. The Heartland Poll used age 30 to differentiate between younger Americans and older Americans.

Americans of any age believed several life milestones remain important, such as marriage, having children, buying a house and retiring in your 60s. However, the younger demographic believes the path to career success means something different than it does for older Americans. Younger people tend to value personal fulfillment at work over material gain. Younger workers believe overall monetary success occurs by changing jobs regularly, moving to communities that offer better public services and having two parents who work outside the home. Millennials also tend to feel both parents should have financial stability before having children.

The study predicts that the habits of millennials may fundamentally alter the way contemporary society handles consumer preferences, housing patterns, economic stability and politics. Massive student debt, mortgage payments and more reliance on higher education in the workplace created an entirely new generation of workers that may not have the economic clout of previous generations. Getting ahead financially revolves around the paradox of needing a college degree for career success, even though students may incur massive debt to obtain a higher education. This debt hinders monetary stability as millennials attempt to have a career, house, car and family.

Employers have also found it harder to retain younger workers, despite fringe benefits such as extensive training, workout facilities and free food at the office. In a 2013 poll, as many as 87 percent of employers said it costs between $15,000 and $25,000 to replace every single millennial employee lost. Compared to older generations, millennials are twice as likely to experience high turnover rates, with nearly 60 percent of younger workers leaving their current positions within three years. Career success for younger people seems to hinge on finding the right fit after job hopping as compared to waiting it out and earning a promotion. Half of employers surveyed showed millennials made between $30,000 and $50,000 per year.

For millennials, career success means something different when compared to their predecessors. Baby boomers often felt a stable career at one company meant more than switching firms to synergize their passion. HR managers and recruiters should keep this in mind moving forward as more millennials start their careers.


Photo courtesy of foto76 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Patricia being an Admin for 9 years is great. In that nine years you picked up a lot of skills. Take the time to make a list of all of your skills and then seek out a position based upon that. There are many positions, not listed as an Admin Assistant, where your skills and knowledge would be valuable to the hiring company. Don't box yourself in with a title.

  • PATRICIA P.
    PATRICIA P.

    My position was eliminated after having spent nine happy and successful years with my last employer, and still have not been able to find an administrative assistant new role, I suppose because of the age. I still have good presence and I am very energetic, with strong work ethics, but there is no luck; even job descriptions ask for no more than 7 years of experience.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @William thanks for your comment. I used to think the same way, too - before I started working here. Years ago you used to be able to walk into the grocery store and there would be a huge community bulletin board with a ton of job postings on it. Even if the job was already filled, you would see the posting because the originator forgot to come back to the store and remove the posting. Well we have simply gone from the manual job boards to digital ones but the same concept holds true today. It's up to the originator of the posting to remove the position, not the job board. So yes there probably are postings that get repeated and postings that are no longer valid because the position has been filled. However, it's always best to apply so that the hiring company has your information and can quickly contact you should a new position open up. I have been called for interviews for positions that I thought were filled six months ago and it turns out that yes the position was filled but a new one has been created. I hope that explains a little bit better how job boards work. Good luck on your next adventure.

  • William G.
    William G.

    Personally, I think the job boards have a lot to answer for, they repeat the same jobs over and over again (and they probably don't exist) and then if they do you speak to a consultant that has no comprehension of your skills or career to date... Great article though.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Alma this might have been true in 2005 when the job market was great. However, that all changed around 2006 and things have not been the same since. If an employee tried to pull a stunt like that today, they would be on the unemployment line. Companies would never put up with that type of behavior - not in today's world where a thousand other applicants are waiting in the wings for that one position.

  • Alma B.
    Alma B.

    In 2005 there were several articles on the internet sharing information as to how employers were having so much trouble getting their employees to show up for work. The employers were offering wonderful amenties just to entice the employee to appear. This was in the UK, and in Germany. I could not understand it because I always felt being paid a fair salary and benefits were enough. No mention of age whatsoever. Now employers don't pay very much only because they know that employees will not stay on the job much less show up. This really hurts employee that is faithful to come to work everyday.

  • Brian N.
    Brian N.

    The high turnover in jobs is due to two factors: low pay and impersonal management. Since it is easy for companies to hire cheap foreign labor, the pay is always getting lower, and the companies prefer to put inhumane cost cutting people in management positions, who treat employees like objects, not human beings.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Heather thank you for that. I couldn't have said it any better myself.

  • Heather R.
    Heather R.

    Charles, people of all ages leave their jobs within about 3 - 5 years. This is due to many things. Maybe they got transferred to another city within the same firm, or maybe they got a better job with more responsibility and more pay. Maybe their wife got a job in another city with more responsibility and more pay. Maybe the management at the place of employment does not treat their workers very well. Maybe this is a job to pay the bills until another job in the field they went to college or university for comes along. Whatever the reason 3 - 5 years is the norm for people to stay at any one job today. However, I would not say to an employer, I intend to be here about 3 - 5 years as this will not go over well. Employers don't want to spend the money on training the new employee, and if it is a high end job, pay to send this employee to conferences just to have them leave the job in 3 - 5 years. They are going to want to hear what you bring to this job, how you are going to be a benefit to them, and that you intend to do your best to be a good fit in their company and move up in the ranks through promotion so you can be of more benefit to their business. When you are in an interview with an employer, you don't ask "what can you do for me?" When you are in an interview with an employer it is "this is what I can do for you." It is all about the employer and their company.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Charles in today's world, it's not just the younger workers that leave their positions after three years. This has been a trend over the last several years now. Back in the day, you would get a job and would stay with that job until retirement. Now, the average move is about three years. We hear this from recruiters and HR people all of the time. I probably wouldn't quote something like this in an interview. You want to go into the interview with the attitude that, should they hire you, you are there to stay for the duration. Best of luck on your interview.

  • Charles Robbins
    Charles Robbins

    "...with nearly 60 percent of younger workers leaving their current positions within three years." What is the source of this quote from your article? I am just trying to make sure that if I quote this in an interview, I will not be challenged.

  • Susan R.
    Susan R.

    Heather, Nancy hello. Thank you for the comments. I appreciate the input. The 90 mile trip is 2 shifts that are 12 hrs in duration each, a total of 24 hrs per week. I have no money, but I can meet the mortgage and cost of the home, so it is a relief as opposed to zero money. At this time the ability to do that outweighs the cost of travel. Utilization Review is a portion of Case Management, it is all chart review, which perhaps down the road soon it could be done from home, that was my thoughts when I accepted the position. I am very grateful and hope to be an asset to this company. Having a job is a lifesaver for me. It is comforting to hear your experiences, this way I no longer feel alone with the problem.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Heather thanks for your comment and I am sure it will help Susan also. I couldn't believe when she said she is traveling that distance for a part-time position. I am guessing that, after gas and tolls, there's not much left to help pay for anything else. I, too, work from home and love it. I have been working from home for about 10 years now and wouldn't trade it for anything. I love the commute as well as the job! @Susan it doesn't hurt to ask. I am with Heather and find it quite surprising that this company is expecting you to do this commute. @Heather - we are rooting for you to find an additional work from home position!

  • Heather R.
    Heather R.

    Susan, I have a question. What is the position Utilization Review? What does it entail? The reason I ask is because I agree with Nancy. It is crazy to be driving 180 miles round trip, and even crazier for a company to expect you to do this. Nancy has a great idea about working from home if that would be possible for this position. It would cut down on driving time, wear and tear on your car, and the cost of gas. That alone must be astronomical. Working from home has it's advantages. Your longest commute is from your bedroom to your computer in your home office. It does take discipline to get yourself up at a certain time and working at a certain time, but beyond that, if you have a place where you are going to be free of interruptions from pets, or kids if you have any still at home, there really is no downside that I can think of. I work from home on my computer using Skype to call businesses who are receiving a free trade magazine, and all I am doing is recording changes if there are any. Like Nancy said I never thought I would be doing calling for a Publishing Company. The job I left was in a call center selling Bell Canada products. I really did not want to get into that type of a job again. This job however is much easier, the people are really nice that I work for, the people I am calling are really nice, and there is a lot less stress. The only downside is that you don't make enough to live on. That is only this type of job that I am doing though, other jobs working from home may be quite profitable. It does however give me some money that I can pay some bills with, and that means a lot. I am not complaining at all, I just know that I need something else too. I also know that where there is a will there is a way. Resourcefulness will come in handy for you now. I wish you the best, and keep us informed.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Susan it certainly is a shame that you have to drive 180 miles round trip. Is this every day? That is crazy and even crazier for the company to expect you to do this! Is is a position that could be done from home? I would ask and see if that would be possible - at least a few days a week. We wish you all the best.

  • Susan R.
    Susan R.

    Nancy and Heather, thank you so much for just the time to reply. That means a great deal to me. Most educational institutes in my area require a Masters for teaching RNs or LPNs. It is truly odd to watch young nurses that I have supervised become educators with miniscule experience and education. I wish them the best but know full well the limits of what they can provide to a patient. Health care now will all to soon promote the ill prepared. I currently am working PT, driving 90miles one way to a new role, Utilization Review. I like it a lot, yes it is a long way to drive! I do miss patient contact. I also miss mentoring. I am fond of reverse mentoring. I find that I learn a lot from younger nurses. I have so much to share, I fear waste of the valuable information I have gained along the way. Thank you all again for your input.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Heather thank you for that and I am sure that @Susan appreciates a second opinion also! Sometimes we just have to look outside of ourselves to find a new opening. I bet you never thought that you would be working for a publishing company and working from home! You are absolutely right that companies don't want to pay what the Baby Boomer employee is worth. But you know - maybe that person doesn't need a huge salary. Maybe they would be content to take a lower salary just so that they can keep working. Companies always assume that the older generation will be seeking a huge salary that they don't want to pay but maybe that's not it. I know I am not making anywhere near what I was making during my heyday! But I am certainly not complaining. I make more than enough for my needs. Would it be nice to make more? Sure! No one would turn down a raise. But in reality we don't need to make anywhere near as much. Our kids are grown. In many cases our homes are paid off and we are looking forward to drawing social security but we aren't ready to be put out to pasture! We have so much to offer if only companies would realize that. Sure there are some Baby Boomers who still want to earn the big bucks and more power to them. But the majority of us would just be happy working.

  • Heather R.
    Heather R.

    Susan, as Nancy suggested teaching people to become an RN at a University would be a very viable option. You have the education, the licensing, and the knowledge they are looking for. I don't know what an RN would make, but I can bet that you would make just as much or more teaching people to become RNs at a University. You have already worked in the field so you know where someone might have difficulty understanding something, and you are in a better position to help them. You would also be teaching something you love and have a passion for. You might also discover another passion in the process. I wish you the best of luck. I know how it feels. The employer I had started firing people in huge numbers over the period of 2 years, it is still an ongoing situation. Most of those people are Boomers. I left during that time and have been out of work for almost 2 years now. When I left I felt like the weight of the world was just lifted off my shoulders, however there was the arduous task of finding another job ahead of me. I still don't have a job that brings in a steady income. I work for a publishing company, calling companies that receive a magazine. These are all business that receive the magazine, so I am not calling individuals. I am not selling anything, because they already get the magazine, I am not monitored, and I work from home. The problem is that you do not get enough money to live on. I still need to find something else. I just need to keep in mind that when one door closes, another one opens.

  • Heather R.
    Heather R.

    I have to agree with you Nancy when you said that Boomers are a bargain. They are everything that a company needs and wants. However they don't want to pay for the experience that the Boomers would bring to the job. That is why many companies are firing the Boomers and hiring the younger workers. They don't realize that the Boomers children are grown, and they are not going to be taking time off work because a child is sick, or they were out partying the night before and have a hangover the next day, so they go home early if they come into work at all. The younger generation with children also get a lot of flus from their children, who get it from other children at school and pre school. There is a lot of productivity lost there. The Boomers don't have to deal with this, and they are through the partying stage. In my earlier post I said the group of people 50 and up have a harder time finding jobs. While that is true Boomers are the age group of 55 and up.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Susan have you thought about going in a different direction? Maybe instead of patient care, you go into a consultative type roll or even teaching. You have decades of experience that a college would snap up! Don't like to teach in front of a class? How about teaching online? Look around for positions that are outside of the hospital setting and you might just open up a door to a whole new opportunity. Try it and let us know. Best of luck!

  • Susan R.
    Susan R.

    I am a Registered Nurse, BSN. I have several decades of experience in multiple settings. I have nearly begged for a job for 2 1/2 yrs. This feels like a terrible way to end a productive, important career!

  • Mark Volz
    Mark Volz

    I also agree with the comments to an extent. I'd say the article title is not only deceptive. Its deceptiveness makes the content vague. The author is probably looking to sell this article in the sense of self-promotion (nothing wrong with that). However, ultimately, the article does not speak to the audience that the title refers.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks for the comments. @Heather you are absolutely right that boomers have everything a company could possibly desire in a worker - except for age. Boomers are already done raising their families and have years of experience under their belts. It is unfortunate that more companies can't see what a bargain the boomers are. I don't think that the reason employers want the millennials is due to the years of productivity they have left but rather due to being able to pay them less because they don't have the years of experience that a boomer would have. Companies don't want to pay for experience. That is the problem. I do believe that this tide will turn again and soon. Companies let all of their experienced employees go in order to save money - or so they thought. Now they are realizing that they need the skilled workers and are complaining that they can't find them. Ten years from now we will be right back here discussing this same issue but it will be the millennials complaining that they can't find a job because all of the jobs are going to the boomers! Best of luck to all of you.

  • Heather R.
    Heather R.

    Baby Boomers are people born before 1961. In other words up to 1960. This certainly leaves the 30 year old age group out. They are in the younger age group. They are also still considered employable by employers.

  • Heather R.
    Heather R.

    I have to say that the generation of people aged 50 and up, are the ones that have the hardest time finding employment. I know because I one of that age group trying to find employment. Employers want the younger people, because they think they have more years of productivity ahead of them than the older age group, 50 and up. They completely ignore the fact that the 50 and up age group have more dependability, stay with their jobs long term meaning more than 5 years, and have a great work ethic. Employers would benefit to realize, that the 50 and up age group for the most part still has 20 years of productivity left. They do not have to retire at 65 if they don't want to. This age group of people, who already have the experience as well, for jobs they are applying for would benefit the employers financially in the long run. Instead of it being extremely difficult for the 50 and over age group to obtain employment, it should be the exact opposite. They have what every employer needs, yet they are being treated like they are ready to go out to pasture. Nothing could be further from the truth.

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