Career Coaching for Generation X

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

Generation X are generally recognised as being born in the mid 1964 ish to 1980 ish. They are sometimes associated with being the generation without identity and with an uncertain future! Originally they were known as the ‘baby bust’ generation following the drop in birth rates after the ‘baby boom’.

As of today they will be between approximately 32 and 50 years old and should be at a key stage in their chosen careers, great time to receive some career coaching.

During their final school / college years they will have experienced a real boom and bust in jobs / economies and will have had their outlook on life and careers shaped by some of the modern era’s most historic events, political upheavals and world changing technological developments.

Career Coaching and advice Generation X will have received will have been a mixed bag of academic not vocational guidance and ‘in house’ courses directed at retaining talent not releasing career potential.

The last few years of economic turmoil has seen many of Generation X facing redundancy for the first time, struggling to gain employment related to their qualifications and having the realisation that they will be working until their late 60’s

To work out their particular career coaching needs we should look at their specific career traits.

I.E they grew up in uncertain times with technology developing at a rapid rate but jobs and careers not so.

Jobs for life and generous pension schemes were over and a boom and bust economic cycle had developed.

Career Coaching for Generation X needs to be focussed on a selection of main areas and the post coaching activity supported on an ongoing basis.

Use of technology will be natural for them , flexible ways /styles of working such as remote, field based and shifts are accepted (due to the growth in 24/7 call centres) and family friendly business cultures should all be coached and considered.

Self confidence is usually good as they have grown up in tough times but a traditional networking approach (offline!) to the job market will need to be developed.

Specific skills and qualifications need to focussed and articulated in a way that will attract both the baby boomer and generation Y employment decision makers.

An achievement rich, concise and transferable skills CV is key to success as are covering emails that accurately relate their abilities to new career opportunities

Generation X’s immediate goal may be to just get a new job but a well researched, targeted and planned approach to their next 20 years of career is key to getting the work life balance and long term financial security they need.

The Career Management Organisation can provide bespoke packages of career coaching aimed specifically at Generation X, contact Rob Moore , Director to hear more.

Career Coaching for Baby Boomers

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

Baby Boomers are generally recognised as being born in the post world war 2 years of 1946 to the early 1960’s. They are generally associated with redefining traditional values, increasing affluence and were a genuine demographic ‘bulge’ that changed society for ever.

Some think that it is too late for baby boomers to seek career coaching because as of today they will be between 50 and 66 years old and planning for retirement!

However the last few years of economic turmoil has seen many baby boomers lose long term investments, long/loyal careers and the security they had had for retirement.

This in turn increases the likely hood of people working long past their traditional retirement ages and so will need career coaching more than most.

To analyse their particular career coaching needs firstly we should look at their specific career traits.
I.E. They grew up in prosperous times, with jobs, society and technology developing at a rapid rate. Jobs for life and generous pension schemes were the norm and huge investment in infrastructure and academia were underway.

Career Coaching for baby boomers should be focussed on a number of key areas and be delivered in a supported way.

Key skills and experience need to focussed and articulated in a way that will attract the modern recruiter.
Self confidence in the job market will need to be developed along both on and offline networking skills
A concise and keyword rich CV is essential as are covering emails/letters that succinctly relate their abilities to the role in question.

Learning new ways /styles of working such as part time, from home, volunteering or developing a portfolio career should all be coached and considered

Overall, a well supported and empathetic approach to career coaching should be adopted when working with baby boomers.

Their short term goal may be to ‘just get a job’ but a structured and planned approach to their next / last 10 years of career is very important to get the life and financial benefits they need.

TCMO can provide bespoke packages of career coaching aimed specifically at the baby boomer generation, contact Rob Moore , Managing Director for more information.