Tips for Your Generation at Work

 Etiquette Quiz  Look at Generation Descriptions  Your Millennial Generation Characteristics  Millennial and Employer Work Expectations  Five Lessons to Learn  Tips for a Successful Job Experience  Leading a Business Meeting  YOU... make the difference at work

- Marjorie Brody and Brody Communications Ltd. - Taken and developed from an article in USA Today

 The following is a proper introduction: “Ms. Boss, I’d like you to meet our client, Mr. Smith.” True False Answer: FALSE Introduce the person with the greatest authority first. Always mention the client first. A proper introduction always includes first and last names.

 If someone forgets to introduce you, it’s appropriate to move on with the conversation without saying anything True False Answer: FALSE Say something like, “hi, my name is Erin, and I don’t believe we have met before.”

 If you forget someone’s name, don’t worry about it and keep talking True False Answer: FALSE It is okay to admit that you cannot remember. You can say something like, “you look familiar; can you please help me remember your name?” or you can introduce yourself again and have that person do the same.

 Who goes through the revolving door first? The Host The Visitor Answer: HOST This allows the host to be ready on the other side to direct the guest.

 What percentage of the message you communicate is conveyed through your visual appearance? 30% 55% 75% Answer: 55% Your wardrobe should fit and be appropriate for the setting. Pay attention to your body language, and don’t forget to smile.

 When using a speaker phone, you should announce if anyone else is present before a conversation begins True False Answer: TRUE It would be rude not to specify who is present.

 If you are out of the office, it is important to change your voic message True False Answer: TRUE Please leave a greeting that says what dates you are out of the office, the date you will return, and who they can contact for immediate assistance.

 During a meeting, it is okay to leave your cell phone on if you are expecting a call True False Answer: FALSE It is rude to your fellow attendees and speakers if your cell phone rings. It is also distracting if you leave to answer it. Keep your cell off or on silent at work... not on vibrate... people can hear that as well.

 Traditionalists  Baby Boomers  Generation X  Millennials/Generation Y  Generation Cusper

 Born between  76 million born  Known as the next demographic boom  Seen as a generation who is better educated & has a belief in the future

 Time  “Go, go, go” attitude  Decline in “unstructured” free time  New stress put on millennial children  Seen as special, confident, team-oriented, achieving, pressured, & conventional  In 80’s, a new & special outlook on children  Children's agenda became public agenda  Recognition

 Technology  Regular use on the computer, the “chat” and other modes of communication  Instant gratification  Confidence & Achievement!  Millennials plan for a four year college  Detailed future plans, given serious thought to things like college, salaries, & employment trends

Different Work Expectations

Millennials o Promoted quickly and paid well o Employer adjusts to needs o Work/life balance o Meaning in work o Work quickly Employers o Start at bottom and work hard to move up o Know what you can do for the employer o Work until your work is done o Think critically and go above and beyond

Millennials o Use technology for interactions o Social groups o Want to be ground- shakers o Want lots of feedback o Entitlement Employers o Face-to-face interaction o Always be a professional o Want you to be a contributor o Want initiative o Pay your dues/flexible

 Realize that they will not be able to keep new grads forever  Expect turnover and change  Relaxing dress code  Becoming more technology based  Offer continuing education and training  Give more recognition/feedback  Formalize mentoring  Sell work/life balance  More extra work benefits  Dinners, exercise rooms, social groups

1. Assume a formality 2. Calm is King/Queen 3. Share credit/take blame 4. Have good manners and grammar 5. Serve

 Respect is always first  Be patient and humble  Check attitude and ego at the door  Lose sense of entitlement  Get involved in the day-to-day operations  Always contribute  Do not expect to be the star  Pay attention to the work culture  Expectations around dress, cell phones, work hours, and fun  Find a mentor in your new work setting

 Learn to effectively communicate face-to- face  Develop great listening skills  Remember that all writing should be formal, including s  Use formal language and manners  Share your technology skills  Keep your supervisor informed on your progress  Make your boss look good

 Show motivation  Branch out resources  What else can be done  Fast is not always better  Learn to work well with others  Ask questions  Learn to resolve conflict effectively  Move from problem based thinking to solution based thinking  Admit your mistakes  Learn that there is always a lot to get done in little time  Be dependable

 Know the goal of the meeting  Set an agenda  Establish roles  Establish rules  Create a system for questions and comments not related to the discussion at hand

 Review the agenda before the start of the meeting  Keep in mind that there are “verbal” and “visual” learners  Record resolution on any items discussed  Solicit comments from all participants  At the end, provide a summary of what was decided and action steps that will be taken

 If you don’t put in your best effort, it affects the whole team no saying “it is not my job”  Circumstance + response = success or failure  How you interpret an event determines what you experience  You need to develop a healthy stress response style in order to prevent burnout  You teach people how to treat you

cswl.pbworks.com Erin Koolen Assistant Director Strommen Career and Internship Center Augsburg College