Hiring or job hunting? There are generational gaps these young workers want to talk about

The expectations of a young job seeker and an employer don't always match, and when it comes time to hire, the generation gap can leave both parties disappointed.

There are considerations like work-life balance, remote work and the right to log off, all conversations up for discussion at a recent hiring workshop attended by young workers and employers in London, Ont. 

"The feedback we're getting from our community is that young people are not necessarily feeling prepared for workplaces, and workplaces aren't necessarily adapting to the young employees," said Nikita Miller, executive director of Young London, the group hosting the event.

"There are different needs from all angles, and I think there's a lack of understanding and empathy from all aspects. We're quick to judge and point blame at the other parties so we just want to start conversations to level the playing field."

Nearly two dozen employers, post-secondary students and full-time workers from a variety of sectors took part, speaking candidly about how workplaces have changed over the last few decades, and what can be done to find common ground. 

Bosses should be open to new ideas, youth say

Nadith Ranasinghe, a third year Western University medical science student, believes bosses should be open to unique perspectives that young workers bring to a job, and recognize that a work-life balance can help them feel more fulfilled in their jobs.

"This new generation, we're more open to keeping our work and social lives separate and we understand that as employees, we should also be able to enjoy ourselves and our own personal time away from a job." Ranasinghe said.

Many of the young participants explained that stereotypes about how they will perform on the job are simply not accurate. Some pointed to assumptions that youth are lazy, and don't want to work. 

"We are motivated but we just like to do things differently and that can bring innovation and improvement where it should," Esther Makide, 19, said. "Not understanding each other isn't productive for anyone and it doesn't bring collaboration."

On the flipside, the young job seekers suggested older employers were stubborn and unwelcoming of change.

What are employers looking for?

Lisa Meyer is partner at a London law firm who looks to hire young employees who are genuinely enthusiastic about working with a team, and want the job for more than just the pay cheque. 

Meyer said she understands the need for a work-life balance and believes employers need to be more flexible in providing that to their staff, adding that she's learned workers want to feel valued in the workplace. 

"The young people have spoken about being appreciated and heard. Employers need to understand where these workers are coming from and what they value," Meyer said.

"We've heard about job stability and money not necessarily being the key drivers for young workers, and it's more about having an opportunity to grow, so there's learning there on the employers' side to help bridge that gap."

Jeff Lewis' business manufactures custom orthotics and footwear, and he acknowledged the workforce has changed dramatically since he was in his 20s. He described the workshop as an "eye-opening experience," he said he's impressed by how in-tune and motivated young workers are.

"If they want to work, we should work together and give them the freedom to make mistakes. Experience is the best teacher, but there's a balance between losing productivity and increased costs to that business as well," he said.

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A challenge that both young and older employees said hasn't changed over the years is getting the experience needed to be considered for a job.

"A lot of jobs tend to look for applicants who have experience in the past, but if you're a young applicant like myself, something you consistently look for is experiences to actually gain real-world, tangible knowledge," Ranasinghe said. 

"It can be a little demotivating when you're consistently not getting jobs that you want because of a lack of experience, when you're trying to go for that job to gain experience.".