148
Lost in the Sauce
Hi there! Does anyone else feel sandwiched (and forgotten) between the generation of women who did what they had to do and the ones who feel entitled to do what they want, including "ghosting" an employer? I'm 40something and it seems like we are asking for too much from employers in terms of salary, vacation, benefits, etc. but they will hire the generation behind us in a minute and give them whatever they want but they have little consideration or loyalty. Maybe I'm just imagining this? My search for decent pay and family friendly benefits seems to be leading me out of the country...
WendyRMCareer change hopeful.
861
04/27/20 at 11:54PM UTC (Edited)
Honestly, I think Gen X as a whole as been written off for decades. Someone in the Boomer, or older, generation gifted us the sobriquet of "slackers". Our generation was dismissed right out of the gate. Yet we've had to ride or die on the ever-changing workscape. Unfortunately, as women, we were raised at a time when we were expected to be ladies and put up with bs. Maybe we need to kick up a collective fuss. Start speaking out and letting employers know that we're damned good and that they are missing out on spectacular when the pass us over.
Anonymous
03/25/20 at 3:57PM UTC
What a timely post!
I get it ladies! Really I do... I help college graduates get jobs. I am amazed at how quickly organizations will snap up these kids with no experience and pay them the kinds of salaries that most of us would not shrink from (try 50k plus for a starting role on average). Many are making in the 60s and 70s or more.
Now, would we get that same opportunity? No. College recruiting is designed to bring in these youngsters to the exclusion of older workers. In fact PWC was sued for just this. And, college recruiting is now under scrutiny as an ageist practice.
Still, that does not matter. I honestly think that 40 and over women (not so much men) face age discrimination more frequently that any other group. Studies back that up and state that part of the problem is the role appearance plays for women.
I am flummoxed. I keep getting "thanks but no thanks" letters when I apply elsewhere with tons of skills, a master's degree, etc... Further, if they look at my LinkedIn profile, I am certainly not unattractive. It has to be the age thing. And, yes, they know your age if they request when you graduated from college.
It sucks. It really does. Our generation of women have so very much to offer.
RaeJust a 30 something grad student trying to ADULT
198
03/08/20 at 6:03PM UTC
Sheesh!! This is a loaded statement. I do know exactly what you mean. For a short while I was actually looking to move out of the country as well and still thinking about it. These days and times companies want you to have so many skills but don't want to pay. As far as education goes, they want you to have work experience and education how does that work in this thing we call life!?? It is definitely a CATCH-22 situation. Also, these companies are willing to hire someone with NO experience train them but also pay them pennies just so they will not have to pay someone who is the best candidate. Things need to change.
Kaylee Frye
12
03/05/20 at 2:16PM UTC
I completely agree that we, GenXers, are capable of anything. We've been through the Cold War, we fought oppression, fought for equal rights, etc. We started working during the time of the 'old boys club' and fought to change that (generally, as there are still obvious examples of it). We brought on the explosion of the digital age. So, why are we the invisible generation? Why are our accomplishments, largely ignored or attributed to the generations above or below us? But, whatever, were used to being ignored ;) I will say this, my daughters are Gen Z and they are in no way getting any of the 'perks or attitudes' we feel millennials get. My daughter's are hard working and dedicated and still get the same old $h!t we dealt with, low pay, favoritism, more work than could possibly be done in the few hours they're given and the (infuriating) practice of being expected to find coverage for your shift if you are sick. My daughter, who was a shift supervisor as a popular coffee shop, recently got the flu. She called her manager as soon as she woke up with a 103 degree fever (hours before her shift was to start) and her manager yelled at her on the phone, told her she was lazy and that it was BS and that she'd better get to work or get someone to take her shift or she'd be written up. My daughter not the type to call off, she often covers other people's shifts, stays late, and works hard to do a good job.. and this is how she was treated. While sick as hell, obviously contagious and feeling miserably ill, she was expected to just call tons of people to try to find someone who could work for her or come to work! Same $h!t, new generation
Anonymous
03/09/20 at 2:40PM UTC
I agree with this ^^^. I'm a GenXer as well. I do think it matters on how we parent our children in regards to expectations within the workplace. My daughter is a Gen Z and is also experiencing what you mentioned above. She is dedicated to her employer but had to go to the ER for a kidney infection and her employer (Dental Office) was upset that she wasn't at work. My son is a millennial and is also very dedicated to his employer as well. He's worked for some really lousy companies before who treated him awful.
Brenda UptonTwelve years of Human Resources experience
68
03/05/20 at 1:43AM UTC
Good luck to you. I’ve been laid off 3 times in the last four years. I am over 60 and I am currently working the type of job I started doing 40 years ago. When I do get an interview I get the feeling that they’re thinking “let’s do a quick interview and mark this off our list”.
I would love to be able to retire and get out of all the younger generations’ way, but darn it, I still have a mortgage to pay.
Mindy ClaggettMarketing | Communications | Program Management
238
03/03/20 at 1:55PM UTC
I turn 50 next week. My job was eliminated in November. For the first time since high school, I'm not working, and this job hunt has been borderline demoralizing for me. I did one interview 2 weeks ago with an HR team that the manufacturing company had lured away from Amazon. When I left, I knew I wouldn't get a callback because I'm too old to join their club.
I am interviewing for jobs that are two steps backwards on the career path, but I need work, so what can I do? I'm being made to feel as if my minimum salary requirement (which is what I was paid 6 years and 2 jobs ago) is too high. It's even more frustrating when MANY of my GenX friends also currently are out of work.
These companies don't want to pay what we GenXers are worth, but they complain when the Millennials/Gen Zers they hire don't show up to work. You get what you pay for!
Marnie JohnsonCustomer service focused IT professional.
20
03/03/20 at 5:02PM UTC
Same thing happened to me a year ago. I moved back to my home state, thinking I would have no problem finding a job within the same company in my new state, no true! I had fantastic recommendations from coworkers and still did not get the jobs. I totally understand what you are going through! Network - let your friends, neighbors, relatives know you are looking for a job. I really feel that is the best way to get your foot in the door now.
Mindy ClaggettMarketing | Communications | Program Management
238
03/03/20 at 5:10PM UTC
Thanks, Marnie. Everyone in my network knows I'm looking, and I've been meeting with referrals in the hope of SOMEONE being able to assist. So far, that hasn't gotten me anywhere. Jobs for professional communicators are hard to come by, especially in my market.
texinthecityformer NYC caterer & marketing/advertising gal
23
03/03/20 at 6:36AM UTC
I love everything on this thread. I just turned 50. I have so much to say and so much to offer. I've gotten so weary of the world in that it's so easy for millennials, why are employers so gungho for them when we GenX gals are able to float btw the analog world and digital age better than any other generation. All you ladies give me hope.
BETH HEDERMAN Marketing/Media pro / Yoga / Grief Coach
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03/02/20 at 3:15PM UTC
I think we are in a unique group where we were told we could do anything we want to do - but not always given the opportunity. And when we fought and climbed our way up to seize the opportunity, more BS. There is still the challenge of the previous generation minimizing all of the accomplishments ("for being a girl"), so right now I'm in the process of figuring out what's next. What's the balance between fighting for your worth, but also saying is the fight worth it? I don't think it's lost in the sauce, more what is your sauce...how do I do what works for me knowing its not the typical path
AnonymousBrand Strategy Leader • Entrepreneur
02/29/20 at 2:53PM UTC
And to your point — WE are the sauce. Not lost in it. And as we all know, life is all about the sauce. :-)
CAROL MYERS
58
03/09/20 at 9:20PM UTC
AMEN!
AnonymousBrand Strategy Leader • Entrepreneur
02/29/20 at 4:42PM UTC (Edited)
There is certainly that feeling. I’m often struck by the outdated notions of many of the boomer male bosses that still roam executive suites. And amazed by the fragility and entitlement of the millennial workforce. I often wonder where I fit in. I try to remind myself that everyone is unique and a sum of their personal experiences and not a one dimensional collective generation. I sometimes think we make too much of those definitions and put people in a box. What I keep coming back to (as I start my own business) is that GenX is a powerful generation that often is overlooked by marketers, and has become the most viable market at this time. Most of us now have disposable income and we are the ONLY generation that lived in both an analog time of playing in the neighborhood streets after school, and also fully embracing the digital age at its start when we were young. We know both worlds and move through them freely. When I talk to people about my startup, it’s often younger people who wince when I tell them my experience. I think it’s high time we repackage GenX as the generation that “gets it” and can save us from being stuck in an either/or scenario. We understand both the loftier analog business goals and strategy while also embracing the immediacy of the digital business universe. This is my pitch to others about where I fit in!
CAROL MYERS
58
03/09/20 at 9:18PM UTC
You are SO on point! I, too, remember playing in the streets and have been using technology since it began. I'm one of those parents who understand technology better than my children do! I'm about to turn 50. At a law firm that doesn't appreciate its people. Have been applying for positions (mainly Exec. Asst.) for YEARS to NO avail. SO frustrated with the "we decided to go with another candidate" response that all I need to see is the first three words before I click delete. All the perks these children demand nowadays would be a dream job for me! Something WE deserve after paying our dues (something Millennials simply do NOT understand). I've raised/am raising my children to understand the importance of having a good work ethic and earning your way. I'm just ready to get the dream job (or better yet, go off on my own) I know I should have.
Rashida Graham Educator/Trainer in Silver Spring, MD
148
02/29/20 at 4:20PM UTC
Great pitch! I really like this interpretation that we understand and are comfortable with both analog and digital environments. Maybe there's a way to communicate this on a resume. We are a versatile generation that needs to be taken seriously. Good luck with your business venture!
AnonymousBrand Strategy Leader • Entrepreneur
02/29/20 at 4:40PM UTC
Yes indeed! I think that would look great on a resume. Perhaps as a quick top line value summary.
