Uncle Sam wants Gen Y!
Actually the title of this post should be ‘Uncle Sam needs Gen Y’. As we all know, corporate America is facing an impending labor shortage, the same holds true in the government sector. From the IRS to the FBI our Uncle Sammy is hiring.
Some would say that Gen Y and government go together like Hilary Clinton and NASCAR, but hold on a moment. If what we read is true, that Gen Y wants to make a difference, that they value work/life balance, and want financial security, then government careers actually are a nice fit.
Career Launchpad: Career Orientation for College Graduates
Everywhere we look these days we hear or read something about Gen Y and how challenged they are when entering the workforce. From 60 Minutes to blogs to job boards, it appears that while Gen Y is the most educated generation ever and with more opportunities than any previous generation, they lack the fundamental skills to navigate today’s job market. Things such as resume development, networking, interviewing skills, and workplace etiquette are deficient in many of today’s college graduates. While they know what they don’t want, it appears many are unsure of what they do want or how to get there.
Their parents, dubbed ‘helicopter parents’, for their tendency to be overly involved in their children’s lives, are equally perplexed on how to ensure their children are successful. Certainly not for lack of desire. By all estimates, this generation and their parents are closer to each other than any previous generation.
On January 18 & 19, 2008 Career Launchpad will unveil a groundbreaking 2 day seminar to provide the skills and insights desperately needed by today’s college graduates and their parents to ensure success in the post-collegiate world. Debuting in Boston, MA, attendees will hear from senior corporate leadership on what it takes to be successful in today’s job market, graduates will hear from a seasoned recruiting panel on interviewing dos and don’ts, and parents will receive valuable info on how to mentor and guide their graduate. Sessions will include topics such as :’What corporate leaders want in a new employee, resume development, and behavioral interviewing.
I am excited to be a part of this revolutionary seminar, I think both graduates and their parents will find these sessions extremely valuable. If you, your graduate, or someone you know in the New England area would benefit from this type of course, I would encourage you to visit our website Career Launchpad or email me for more info.
Until next time…
Green Recruiting? Somewhere Al Gore is smiling
So another new trend in recruiting seems to be ‘green recruiting’, at least according to Steven Rothberg at College Recruiter. In his most recent post he quotes from the ever eloquent John Sullivan’s speech at the Kennedy Information conference in Orlando.
According to Mr Sullivan green recruiting is essential because;
- Gen Y demands it. This generation has learned about the importance of the environment and recycling in classes since elementary school. They filter both product purchasing and job selection choices with their green mindset.
- College grads demand it. Al Gore is a hero on most campuses. Students, while they are on campus, demand that every aspect of their campus life leave a minimal “environmental footprint.” On my campus, San Francisco State University, even the most conservative of all schools, the College of Business is developing a “sustainability” major to satisfy the student demand for integrating business and the environment. It has become so important that even starting salaries take a back seat behind “greenness” when students evaluate potential employers.
- Many job candidates care about it. Although no one has yet quantified the impact that being environmentally friendly has on recruits, if you ask candidates whether working for an environmentally friendly company is important to them, a vast majority will respond with an affirmative.
- Global candidates can be passionate about it. Some countries around the world are extremely passionate about the environment (Germany, Australia, and Finland to name a few). As a result, if you expect to recruit the best from around the world, you must be prepared to meet a growing set of eco-expectations as an employer.
Of all the current challenges facing today’s recruiters, is worrying about whether or not their company is green or not really a primary concern? Do candidates really care that much? I’m not sure, what do you think?
Until next time…
