Generation Xers, who were born between 1965 and 1980 and made up 53 million workers in 2017, were sandwiched between baby boomers and millennials. S. Census Bureau. Unknown to many, Paul Fussell’s sociological book “Class,” about American class structure, is where the phrase “Generation X” first appeared. The second-largest segment of the current workforce is made up of Gen Xers, who are renowned for their entrepreneurial spirit and work-life balance. Understanding Gen X in the workplace is a subject of great importance to their managers, their coworkers, or entry-level employees who work under them given the number of employees in this category. Here are four common Gen X characteristics.
A little over 50% of all leadership roles are held by Gen Xers, with more to come as baby boomers retire, according to the Global Leadership Forecast 2018, published by consulting firm DDI, nonprofit research organization The Conference Board, and professional services firm EY with support from CNBC. These staff members, who are renowned for their willingness to take on new challenges, have the experience, people skills, and tenure to contribute as leaders at work. At a time when previous generations were preparing for retirement, the need to pay for their children’s college expenses, as well as their own mortgage and the impending Social Security cut, fuels their interest in advancing in their careers. Regardless of motivation, these qualified workers are expanding their influence as managers and leaders of initiatives, teams, and businesses.
They Are Digitally Connected According to Nielsen surveys, Gen X is the generation that spends the most time engaging in digital and technological activities. While younger coworkers might be more social on the weekends, Gen Xers might be responding to emails, watching home improvement shows online, or checking social media.
Because Gen Xers experienced both life during and after the tech boom, they had to make adjustments to survive the transition from paper to online. This hard-won competence has given rise to confidence in the use of technology. Nielsen found that 54% of Gen X respondents believed themselves to be digitally savvy, just slightly behind millennials’ 56% perception.
They Work Together to Get Things Done at Work Gen Xers are renowned for their ability to collaborate and work with others to get things done at work, which may be because the 1980s were the final decade before the lone activity of “surfing the web” was invented. Many Gen Xers are at ease working in teams because they’ve had experience with face-to-face interactions and in-person conflict resolution over years without digital tools. A network of connections and a history of reciprocating when necessary are indicators of success in this peer group. Many Gen Xers use their ability to interact with people at work.
Gen Xers hire coaches, such as Kumon instructors for early education, college admissions counselors, Pilates instructors for long-term fitness, etc., to further their professional development and mentorship outside of the workplace. It makes sense that this generation is at ease seeking out professional guidance outside of the confines of the workplace. Successful Gen Xers understand that they must constantly change in order to stay relevant, so they are willing to spend more time and money to ensure this. Attend industry conferences, professional development, and continuing education events to find these coworkers. Gen Xers remain competitive due to the network and knowledge they have built through these experiences. With their popular song “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” from the 1980s, the band Simple Minds provided some foreshadowing. “The Gen Xers have been steadily advancing amid media hype about Gen Z and millennials. The good news is that working with your Gen X coworkers can be simple and profitable. They work hard and prioritize relationships, and they respect people who put their best effort forward at work. The majority are willing to learn new digital tools and are fully aware that they must constantly adapt and become more efficient in order to accomplish more and succeed professionally.
- self-sufficient, results-oriented and hard-working with a tendency to be quiet achievers.
- entrepreneurial, educated and independent thinkers.
- value diversity, challenges, and responsibility.
- enjoy creative input and rescourceful.
- embrace technology and social media.
Common Generation X characteristics
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1. Independent
Gen Xers are independent, resourceful, and individualistic because they have grown up taking care of themselves since before they were of legal age. They strive to overcome obstacles on their own and value independence and accountability.
You can use your independence as a member of Generation X to advance in your career. Try to use your problem-solving abilities to come up with solutions before approaching your supervisor with them. A valuable skill for any employee is being able to come up with ideas and figure out solutions to problems.
Consider asking your manager for more autonomy in your role because Gen Xers typically perform better with little supervision. You can use your accomplishments to demonstrate how your independence benefits your company. Because of your independence, you might finish tasks correctly and on schedule with little guidance. Your independence might be valued by managers, and they might give you more responsibilities.
Look for jobs that allow you the chance to showcase your resourcefulness and creativity.
2. Work-life balance
Generation Xers value having a good balance between work and personal time and want to pursue their own goals. Compared to their baby boomer parents, they are less loyal to their employers because they experienced hard economic times in the 1980s. They tend to have a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
As you plan your daily tasks and career goals, your desire for a healthy work-life balance may have aided you in strengthening your time-management abilities and sharpening your strategic thinking abilities. Consider emphasizing these skills on your resume.
You might want to look for a job with flexible hours, like freelancing.
3. Flexible and informal
Gen Xers are accustomed to change and appreciate a relaxed atmosphere. They value diversity, enjoy humor, and have a “work hard, play hard” mentality.
Adaptability can be a great strength in your career. You should have no trouble picking up new skills and succeeding even if your employer implements a novel approach or a client modifies the requirements. This trait is yet another ability you can emphasize on your resume and one that enables you to become more adaptable.
Think about looking for a position that will allow you to develop a variety of skills and offers you room for advancement or change.
4. Technologically adept
The generation Xers were born as technology was changing from analog to digital. They are the first generation to have grown up using computers, so they can easily learn and acclimate to new technological applications. They witnessed the birth of cell phones and the Internet. They feel at ease using a variety of technological tools, including computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Using technology to boost your workplace productivity and learning new computer skills to advance your career are two ways you can put your Generation X creativity and technological aptitude to work for you. This quality makes it easier for you to learn difficult skills, such as new computer programs or technology relevant to your field, and it also helps you keep up with technological advancements.
You might want to think about looking for employment in the field of information technology.
What is Generation X?
People born between 1965 and 1980 are referred to as members of the Generation X demographic. They are followed by millennials, who were born between 1981 and 2000, and preceded by baby boomers, who were born between 1943 and 1964. Because of the significant life events that shaped each generation, they each have unique personality traits that affect how they behave at work.
With little adult supervision, Generation X, also known as Gen Xers, learned the importance of independence and work-life balance early on. Additionally, they value informality and are highly educated, technologically savvy, and adaptable.
How to highlight your Generation X skills
Here are some strategies for emphasizing your generational competencies in a workplace setting:
Gen X skills on your resume
You can list both your hard and soft skills in the “skills” section of your resume. Aim to draw attention to the competencies listed in the job description. You can list your hard skills as specific accounting programs, for instance, if you are applying for an accounting position. Your soft skills may include “problem-solving” and “critical thinking. ”.
Gen X skills on your cover letter
As with your resume, you can list any skills that Gen Xers may naturally have. You could describe how you value independence and how that contributes to your strong problem-solving abilities, or how your flexibility enables you to manage your time well.
Gen X skills during an interview
The Truth About Generation X
FAQ
What are typical characteristics of Generation X?
Gen Xers are frequently characterized as resourceful, independent, and committed to preserving work-life balance. Compared to boomers, they are more ethnically diverse and socially liberal.
What does Generation X want in the workplace?
Leaders should be involved in their work and approachable, according to Generation X. Leaders who are open to everyone’s opinions and who foster an inclusive workplace are ideal for Gen Xers. They emerge strongly during transitional times or pivotal moments that determine the organization’s future.
What is the work ethic of Gen X?
Gen Xers still value hard work, but they are more conscious of the need for balance in their lives. Many people in this group were among the first whose parents both had jobs outside the home. Their fathers were neglecting their family ties by putting in 60 or 80 hours per week.
What are the core values of Gen X?
Diversity, independence, practicality, informality, work/life balance, flexibility, and technology are among Gen Xers’ core values. When their duties at work are in line with their values, Gen Xers give their all, just like other motivated employees do.
