Is Gen Y Too Needy?

Gen Y too needy? Anyone who asks that question hasn't had Gen X or Boomers as employees. Much of the mentoring/modeling I've done for employees has been an attempt to instill characteristics of Gen Y into previous generations.

The fact that Gen Y needs/responds to feedback, mentoring and coaching is a GOOD THING. It'll serve them well over their professional life. Beats the "Fuck You" response of Gen X.

I've never gotten a raise that amounted to more than a COLA, and my first promotion came after three years. I think getting a promotion after one year probably depends on what the job is--if it's truly entry-level, with little independent work, I think that may make sense. If your entry-level job involves independent work, then it may take a little longer to get a promotion. My job, which did involve that, took at least a year to really learn. It took more than a year to be really good at it.

And I'm sure that the recession does play a role; how could it not? But the degree to which it influences these decisions is going to vary widely.

I think that communication is key here. It's worth asking what's typical for that company, and finding out if the company's pattern is typical for the industry. That can help you decide if your expectations are just in your head or if the company doesn't match the industry standard (which probably tells you something important about the company).

But getting promoted isn't the only kind of affirmation. Look at the big picture and see if you're getting what you earn (and not just limited to pay and title).

You could be a coworker of mine. He started here a year before me, and right after I started was promoted into a new position. Two years after that he got another title change promotion, but every year has gotten a pretty hefty raise. Now he is a year out from his last title change and feeling very antsy about it, expecting above and beyond compensation this year (which he's gotten well above average raises every year already) since they've already told him they can't change his title this year. Now you could argue he's being somewhat over-demanding.

Compare him with me, in another department, and with the same qualifications to start with my progression has been a lot slower. No promotions, and near average raises every year despite above average or top performance reviews. So while I think maybe he is over demanding, I think his situation contributed to that. His bosses taught him he could come to expect them to give him raises, praise, and title promotions. I'm a lot more cynical than he is when it comes to my own path. Maybe that's more down to earth, but I'm not sure it's a good thing. If you don't get the promotion you think you deserve, you'll eventually get worn down from the effort all on your own. If you do get the promotion, you can carry along optimistically and doing good work. I'm not sure it's a generational thing, or even particular to personality, just based on very specific circumstances and I think your path will determine how you end up. Good luck.

I think what you really are describing is a fundamental shift in the way people work. The global workplace environment forces workers to constantly seek feedback to make sure they are performing well/staying competitive, and companies can no longer afford to have employees working in silos as they have in the past. As with all shifts, the older workers have trouble adjusting to the new system, resulting in friction between the new and old. I believe this is natural, and probably occurred when the PC was first introduced in the 80's, email in the 90's, etc. Also I'd like to point out that in study after study, ranging from the Industrial and Organizational Psychological Association to Deloitte and Accenture Consulting, demonstrates that Millennial workers are no less hard working, loyal, or productive than their older counterparts. If you'd like me to send you links to the studies I would be happy to do so. Have a good one.

This is to Social Meteor for the Gen X comment. FU. This is the first really ugly thing I have ever posted, but know this. Us genX types will never deal with the brain washing of people like you who want to underpay us and then gloss over it with fake admiration as you go all the way to the bank. I am sure Jim Jones had lots of this type of Mushroom Politics before his loyal team built followers drank the cool aid. There was even a 60 minutes feature I saw 3 or so years ago that the Gen Y is too needy and that "everyone is a winner". It goes all the way to the fact that the parents of today's children don't want to keep score in sports. Guess what pal, this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and when the temporary socialism fails it is the tough minded people like our generations that run things. Oh by the way, out of this will come some tough gen Y people as well. Best of luck with that type of idealism.

@Renee - I think that is so interesting, because I do work on the recruitment advertising side so I have some knowledge of the recruitment world. To answer your question, yes, I actually did mention that in addition to doing a great job, I am very career focused and want to move up in the company, and have had two discussions with my manager now about my desire to move up to the next level at the company. At my time of hire I was given the honest answer that everyone's different and there is always room for growth, but since my hire I've been told that we can't really have conversations until the economy picks up. I know that previous people in my position have all left after 1-2 years because they could not get promotions...appreciate the feedback from a GenX Recruiter! :)

@Brett - I hope I never implied that Millennials were less hard working, I just think that sometimes, without motivation like they are used to, Millennials might have a harder time. I'd love to see the studies, though, feel free to message them to me if you can. Thanks!

@Miles - You make some good points about personality and environment also affecting this situation - and not all Gen Y people have the typical Gen Y personality. Again, I think the economy is one of the big environmental impacts with my situation, and unfortunately I do kind of have the typical Gen Y personality where I expect affirmation and career growth. Sigh...like you said, maybe a good thing, maybe bad! :)

@TJ - yes, I hope to never try to compete with my boss! Sounds like it has 'bad idea' written all over it! :)

I offer a couple of thoughts. First of all, organizations founded or run by primarily Boomers will reflect at least one of the characteristics of that generation – its competitiveness. Second, the “everyone gets an award” practice of the educational system – particularly in the US - has really not prepared Millennials for the work world, as it currently exists. Third, most managers will provide feedback to their direct reports in the manner and frequency that they – not the direct report – prefer.

So what do you do? At some point, I think the Millennials will have a profound effect on how organizations work. Until then, if you are interested in a promotion, then you will have to initiate that conversation. Here is one possibility. You could start by saying you are interested in the next step your career would take in XYZ organization. And then you say, “So what are the things that need to be present (like what do I need to accomplish), to be ready for the next step?” And then ask, “How can I get that experience?” I would suggest this conversation instead of waiting for a promotion or raise after a certain period (like one year). See what you think.