Generation Integration: Roberta Matuson Unites Boomers, X-ers and Millennials in the Workplace

Summer Time...The Perfect Time to Kick Things Up a Notch!

Most people think of summer as a time to relax and enjoy the weather. This is exactly the reason why this is the time to kick things up a notch! Doesn't matter if we are talking about marketing, sales or even a job search. You have three entire months to move forward, while others are standing still.

Think about it. Suppose you were going to run a marathon and you were told that 90% of the racers would begin the race three hours after you started. So here you are, running out of the gate without worrying about bumping into others or finding some space in the crowded field of competitors. You get to set a comfortable pace to reach your objective of sprinting over the finish line. You'd be crazy not to give it a go!

So why are so many people sitting on the sidelines waiting for some miracle to happen? Before you can win the race, you have to get out of your own way. By that I mean, you have to stop listening to the little person in your head who keeps telling you that "we can't afford to do this." "No one is spending money these days." "Who on earth would hire a 52-year old worker?" You determine your future. Not some crazy little voice that keeps bopping in and out of your head.

You have at least four weeks left of the summer to take some action. Get going, before you wind up at the back of the line along with the others, who will be wondering come fall, why they are in the same exact place they were in June.

Secrets Unveiled: What Your Millennial Doesn't Want You to Know About Their Job Search

I declared last week as "Get Your Kids off the Couch Week," as a way of acknowledging the frustration many parents are now experiencing since their newly minted graduates have returned home. In today's posting, I'll unveil some of the secrets your kid isn't ready to share with you yet.

I don't really want to be a __________.

You fill in the blanks. After all, you are the one that has just gotten done paying for beauty school, college or heaven forbid, law school. Yes, that's right. Johnny or Stacey has decided this field really isn't for them. You see, this generation has been raised by parents who have told them they are special. They now believe this. So when they say they no longer want to be a lawyer and now they think they'd like to go to medical school, they expect it to be okay. Oh, and they expect that you will fund this venture as well, just like when you sent them to circus camp for the summer.

This thing called work is really going to cut into my social life

Yes, sooner or later they will have to come home before 1:00 AM in order to make it to work the next day. But right now, they simply aren't willing to trade their social life for a paycheck. What they don't understand is that eventually their friends will find employment and their new friends will be those people they've met at work. Therefore, it is really in their best interest to find a job and friends before they find themselves friendless.

I don't want to give up my flexibility

Not every job requires that you be there from 9-5. In fact, many will let you start at 10, but you'll need to stay until 6 or 7. If your child doesn't want to be stuck behind a desk from 9-5 then perhaps you can suggest they take two part-time jobs so they can break up their work day.

If you are tired of fighting with your child about this then perhaps it's time to take a new approach. In honor of "Get Your Kids off the Couch Month," (see, I've decided this is such a big deal, that we should extend it to a month,) I am offering a 10% discount for anyone who signs up for the Job Search Mentoring Program by August 31st. Just mention this offer.

Don't delay, as space is limited.  

Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine?

I don't know about you, but I'm sick and tired of hearing how bad things are. This is usually said by those who would rather complain than do something about things. History always finds a way of repeating of itself. This means that we will eventually get ourselves out of this economic situation. But we won't do so by sitting around and whining.

On a personal note, I've decided to declare this summer the "Summer of Me." By that I mean, I'm going to take care of my own physical health, before I place the oxygen mask on members of my family. Sound selfish? Good. I place everyone's needs before mine nine months out of the year. It's my turn to achieve the fitness goals that I've set out for myself over and over again.

I've replaced my whining with action. I suggest that my clients do the same. That's why I've just produced this special report, Recession: Opportunity For Massive Growth . Nothing is going to change in your life or in your business if you do nothing. This quiet time, for most businesses, is the perfect opportunity to focus on putting all those ideas that you've shelved, on the front burner.

Together, we can make history repeat itself. Please join me .

Is This Kick Your Kids Off the Couch Week?

The honeymoon must be over. Within the last few days, I've had three parents contact me regarding their beautiful children. All three of these children come from middle-class families (maybe even upper-middle class) and have recently graduated from college. The kids are having the time of their lives this summer, even if they aren't working in their field of study. So what's the problem?

Their parents are concerned that their children are doing little if anything to look for work. I can't say I blame their parents for worrying. Summer quickly turns into Fall. At least it does here in New England. It's been nice having the kids home, but it looks like some of them are already wearing out their welcome. In an economy where jobs are tight, it's unlikely that doing little will result in job offers rolling in the door. So what's a parent to do?

Be firm - Establish a date that you will no longer provide financial support to your child. If history repeats itself, (and this did work in the seventies) you will be amazed how quickly your child jumps off the couch as the date nears.

Get off their backs - Nagging didn't work when they were little and it won't work now. Trust me when I tell you that they will be motivated when they either don't have a place to stay, run out of money or watch their friends move on with their lives, while they still live in the bedroom they grew up in.

Lend a hand - Most likely you are not an expert in job searching in the new economy. If you can still remember typing out individual cover letters and putting postage on the envelopes that contained your resume then it's time to bring in the experts.

You have two choices. Contact the alumni placement office at your child's former school (better yet, let them call) and inquire about the types of services that are available to your child. Or give your child a departing gift. One that will last them a lifetime. Hire a Job Search Mentor or Coach to move them along in their search. Think it's too much money? Run the numbers. Food, laundry, new couch, rent etc. This will be the best gift you give yourself. The gift of peace of mind.

Running of the Bulls American Style

A recent survey from Adecco Group North America highlights the increased dissatisfaction workers in America have with their employers. According to the survey, 54% of employees plan to look for a new job as soon as the economy turns around. The sentiment is even stronger among younger workers. Of those ages 18-29, 71% say they are likely to look for new jobs once the economy turns around, the survey said.

I like to call this phenomena the Running of the Bulls American Style. When the flood gates open (and they will) millions of workers will flee those companies where they are being asked to do two, or in some cases three jobs, for the same amount of pay. Or better yet, they have taken the mandatory 10% across the board pay cut just so they can keep their jobs.

I'm still having a difficult time understanding why companies are operating like business is usual. It is anything but! We moved into this recession slowly, with few people even realizing we were here until we were knee deep into this. We will come out of this the same way. Very slowly.

This is the time for employers to assess their workplace and make changes before the gates begin to open. Or they may wake up one day to find that the only person left in the office is the owner.

Return on Investment

I was at a friend's house for dinner the other night where I met a young man who just graduated from a private college. Great guy. Bright, full of energy, strong communication skills. Yet, he has been unable to to land a job in his field. His mother was rightfully concerned. You see, she and her husband had invested a substantial amount of money in their son's education. They expected to see at least some return on their investment.

Here's the good news. This young man is not a slacker. He is gainfully employed, although not working in a job that requires a college degree. I suspect he will make some great contacts and when the economy turns around, he may be able to leverage some of these contacts into job interviews.

To his parents I say, keep the faith. Your investment has already paid off as you've raised an articulate young man who will eventually find his way. Of course that's easy for me to say as I haven't plunked down six-figures worth of college tuition and fees...yet!

Click here to learn more about our Job Search Program

Just When You Thought Things Couldn't Get Worse

The Labor Department reported on Thursday that the American economy shed 467,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent, its highest level in 26 years. Depressing? Yes. Makes you want to ask for a life line. If only life were a game show.

Many Americans are going to give up on their job search after they hear this news. Others will recognize this means they have to kick their job searches up a notch. Here are some tips for those of you who fall into the second group.

Unplug - Step away from your computers and start making real connections. Most of 875 people you have listed on Facebook are not really your friends, nor will they be of much assistance in your search. Instead, start setting up face-to-face meetings with people who can connect you with hiring managers.

Take the chip off your shoulder - The only person that cares that you've been out of work for 18 months is you. There isn't a person on the planet who is not aware of what is going on the economy. Be prepared to say what you've been doing during your period of unemployment and move on.

Invest - It may seem counter-intuitive to spend money when you are out of work. But what if this investment gave you a return that was life-long, instead of the buzz you just received from drinking your Starbucks latte? Investing in a Job Search Mentor and a new interview suit is money well spent.

Job searching in this economy is like running a marathon. You need to pace yourself so that you make it to the finish line. When you do, be sure to extend your hand and help someone else over the finish line. Together, we can get people back to work.