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XY Cusp

You're not a traditional "younger" Gen Y but you aren't quite Gen X either...stuck instead somewhere in the middle (we are also known as the MTV Generation)

People have asked for the "age" of XY Cuspers - it's the cusp of the generation change, so late 70's to early 80's.

Network Leader: Elisa Doucette

Groups > XY Cusp

Dana Leavy There's much information out there on how to conduct your job search, it's hard to know where to start, who to follow and what to trust. The 'experts' can give you a great 'jumping off point', but how you integrate the information is what makes a difference. I've found it comes down to understanding your motivations for change, utilizing the right resources and taking the right steps to make it happen. How do you process all of the information? Some thoughts: http://tinyurl.com/4ysne4f

29 weeks ago from GenYJourney: Tips, Insights, Experiences For Young Professionals, XY Cusp, Young Professional Women (YPW) and Generation Y Marketers 2 more

Edward Antrobus: I certainly feel this dilemma. When it comes to resumes, there is a ton of conflicting advice. Or even better is perfectly valid advice that just ...MoreI certainly feel this dilemma. When it comes to resumes, there is a ton of conflicting advice. Or even better is perfectly valid advice that just doesn't apply...even when it is directed towards you.
29 weeks ago

29 weeks ago from GenYJourney: Tips, Insights, Experiences For Young Professionals, XY Cusp, Young Professional Women (YPW) and Generation Y Marketers 2 more

Dana Leavy One of the biggest peaves job seekers and clients tell me about is a lack of response to their resume. Little do they know, their resume may be fabulous, but it's not even being read! As a recruiter and career advisor, I keep seeing the same mistakes from people when sending their resumes to potential jobs, and it's unfortunate that otherwise great candidates are going unnoticed because of simple, avoidable mistakes. These are the biggest ones... http://tinyurl.com/47q2h4g

46 weeks ago from Career Changers, Young Professional Women (YPW), Brazen Careerists in New York City, XY Cusp and Brazen Careerists on Twitter 3 more

Cormac Foster: I have to agree. The best and most memorable hire I've ever made came as a result of a startlingly unusual cover letter that actually made me pay ...MoreI have to agree. The best and most memorable hire I've ever made came as a result of a startlingly unusual cover letter that actually made me pay attention. It was an editing position, and LA is full of unemployed writers, so standing out was important, and the cover letter itself told me more about the person's qualifications than any resume ever could. By the time I opened the resume, I was just looking for reasons to hire the guy.
46 weeks ago

Kim Luu: @Dana,

I admit that we're just too overwhelmed with responses when we do recruiting to answer to every applicant. It also doesn't help that ...More@Dana,

I admit that we're just too overwhelmed with responses when we do recruiting to answer to every applicant. It also doesn't help that basic mistakes turn me off as an employer so I don't even want to contact the person.

These are the biggest mistakes that I saw as we're recruiting. Unfortunately, they're from people who have been working as a professional or executives for 20-30 years with no excuses of being new and young.

http://www.moneyandrisk.com/career/unemployment-career/how-job-hunters-s...
46 weeks ago

46 weeks ago from Career Changers, Young Professional Women (YPW), Brazen Careerists in New York City, XY Cusp and Brazen Careerists on Twitter 3 more

Andrew Heinzerling HELP! I set a very high goal for my team, with the reward of each persong getting to throw a pie in my face. Well, they hit it, and I was then told that they would rather not, that it was not really a reward. This event would have brought most (if not all) of Senior Management, as well as many other teams to celebrate the win. We don't have the option to give them $ or time off for hitting goals, so I tried to come up with a fun event. Did I do something wrong? What are your thoughts?

77 weeks ago from Inspiring Leadership, Ask Penelope Trunk! and XY Cusp 1 more

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Elizabeth Marling: It seems like your staff responded to the 'Betcha can't make THIS goal" taunting. Having the opportunity to really surprise and impress a boss is ...MoreIt seems like your staff responded to the 'Betcha can't make THIS goal" taunting. Having the opportunity to really surprise and impress a boss is a good reward. So the pie was a tricky detail--your idea was good. Sometimes it's good to shake things up by antagonizing the team a little. It's great to have a positive work environment, but a lot of places take it too far--only saying positive things and keeping quiet about any honest feedback. I don't think people perform any better in that environment than one with negative, tyrannical management (not implying you in either example, just a thought).
77 weeks ago

GenerationXpert Suzanne Kart: I thought the same thing as Penelope. Why would a reward for your team have you as the center of attention. I'd give them a Friday afternoon off.
77 weeks ago

Julia Kious Zabell Millennials Have a Leg Up On Happiness Having just finished reading “But Will It Make You Happy?“, by Stephanie Rosenbloom I got to thinking about the Millennial generation’s experience with happiness. I can’t help but wonder if the Millennial generation, largely coming into their own as independent adults during a pretty intense recession....(read more at http://beinvigorated.com/2010/08/12/millenials-have-a-leg-up-on-the-happ...) What do you think? Is it just us?

78 weeks ago from I am Gen Y, Nomadic Entrepreneurship, Personal Development, Travel Addicts and XY Cusp 3 more

stephen levine: Good article. I think H.D. Thoroux's econonomics make much more sense than the rampant consumerism of today, and that the connections being made ...MoreGood article. I think H.D. Thoroux's econonomics make much more sense than the rampant consumerism of today, and that the connections being made through technology-well, I have some reservations but I'll reserve judgment.
77 weeks ago

TOP IDEA: Chanelle Schneider This week has featured many interesting stories that are perfect for intergenerational discussion! Let’s talk about them in #GenYChat tonight at 9pm EDT. Please keep in mind that the purpose of #GenYChat is to discuss topics and learn from each other by sharing the wisdom of GenX’ers and Boomers. So, if you like to talk about GenY, please attend a chat where you can speak directly to us! Past discussions are available here http://www.officialtherefromhere.com/blog/hash-chats/

78 weeks ago from XY Cusp, GenYChat, GenY/Boomer Boom Boom Room and I am Gen Y 2 more

Chanelle Schneider Tonight on #GenYChat at 9pm EDT we will be discussing the impact Generation X and Baby Boomers had on Generation Y. If you have any questions you’d like considered for the chat, please leave a reply below! To see what we discuss on the chat, please see the previous transcripts here http://www.officialtherefromhere.com/blog/hash-chats/

83 weeks ago from XY Cusp

Amy Calhoun So being an XY cusper, do you ever feel completely stuck? No room on the corporate ladder to move forward...economics keeping you from becoming your own boss...possibly a mortgage, spouse or kids relying on you...What then becomes your next move to propel you forward?

91 weeks ago from XY Cusp

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Amy Calhoun: @Bryon Good for you for going back to school. I hope the move takes you to higher heights and gets your health back on track.
87 weeks ago

Elizabeth Marling: I just left my job, moved to a new city to get a fresh start. I'm 30, and I have put off having children to pursue my career goals. The ...MoreI just left my job, moved to a new city to get a fresh start. I'm 30, and I have put off having children to pursue my career goals. The potential consequnces are OK with me, personally, but that's an individual decision. I won't have regrets if I don't have children, but I will if I don't try to really excel in my work.

For me, getting the opportunity to change location just fits where I am in my life. I exhausted my options at my previous job and was at the end of my rope. The things I did were taken for granted and even met with resistance--I headed up teams to write company website content, to assist management with 'outside the norm' projects like giving feedback on presentations and blogging. Basically, it will look stellar when I have new eyes looking on the things I did, at least I am hoping for that.
86 weeks ago

I wonder what civic instincts we have that distinguish us from X and free agent traits that distinguish us from Y?

98 weeks ago from XY Cusp

sq78 is there any research on our group? im curious...

102 weeks ago from XY Cusp

: It started on wikipedia when our cusp was first described as the MTV generation. A lot of late-Xers felt closer to Y than X. The debate is ...MoreIt started on wikipedia when our cusp was first described as the MTV generation. A lot of late-Xers felt closer to Y than X. The debate is wheather GenY started in the early 80's or when the birth rate came back in the late70's.
102 weeks ago

sq78: ok thanks. i guess it didn't catch my earlier post....i like the 'middle child' thing. but now i have a generational identity crisis lol
101 weeks ago

Elisa Doucette Interesting featured post on Brazen: http://www.brazencareerist.com/2009/12/21/us-vs-them

111 weeks ago from XY Cusp

Amy Chiang recommended this

Mike Ambassador Bruny: Elisa, Interesting indeed. I went to a meeting not to long ago called, "The Greatest Minds" in Boston. They broke us out into generations (I ...MoreElisa, Interesting indeed. I went to a meeting not to long ago called, "The Greatest Minds" in Boston. They broke us out into generations (I fell in the Gen X) and it was interesting to see the range in age that encompassed Gen X. It was an eye opener for me. I decided not to be classified any longer. Let's get after it, no matter what "Gen" we are supposed to be.

Your Ambassador,
Bruny
www.hiphopaffirmations.wordpress.com
108 weeks ago

Elisa Doucette What are all your XY Cusp folks up to this holiday season? I know for me, in the past couple years I've been getting very Gen Xey (Down with the man!) about the commercialization of the holiday season. Do a lot of donations in honor of families and friends instead. How about you?

112 weeks ago from XY Cusp

JR Moreau: That's great Elisa! I'm not a huge fan of mass-consumerism myself either.
112 weeks ago

: I think that Christmas is way too commercial. But I enjoy the holiday as long as I get my shopping done. But yes there is nothing commercial about ...MoreI think that Christmas is way too commercial. But I enjoy the holiday as long as I get my shopping done. But yes there is nothing commercial about willing to give and care to anyone over the holidays.
112 weeks ago

Lisa Panting Is there a profesional on this subject? I'm doing an assignment on how gen y compares with genx on using social networking tools. p.s being a cusper is great but my older brother thinks I'm so gen y but my kid sister is like,"your so gen x!"!:)

114 weeks ago from XY Cusp

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: A lot of late Xers who identify with GenY are perfect examples of being authorities in being between generations.
91 weeks ago

Bryon Ownby: While not a professional on the subject matter, I am in that category myself. Interesting to see what research you find on this!
87 weeks ago

Jung Fitzpatrick I agree that these Generation labels probably vary from country to country, and that even within a country, behavior and culture is much more strongly defined by specific demographic factors such as socioeconomic class, education level, and number of generations in country if from an ethnic/immigrant background. Labeling a particular group of people by the period in which they were born can be a useful generalization to help understand a particular generational culture in a global way.

114 weeks ago from XY Cusp

Elisa Doucette: I think upbringing in most countries is what sets the foundation for generational labels. The first 20 years of a groups' lives (including ...MoreI think upbringing in most countries is what sets the foundation for generational labels. The first 20 years of a groups' lives (including classes, education, ethnicities, etc.) and the global/local/current events bond people together with certain characteristics and beliefs.
113 weeks ago

Marisa Wikramanayake: My sister and I have struggled with the gen X/Y labels for awhile. We grew up in Sri Lanka and we grew up unlike most Sri Lankans (slightly more ...MoreMy sister and I have struggled with the gen X/Y labels for awhile. We grew up in Sri Lanka and we grew up unlike most Sri Lankans (slightly more liberal minded but not as liberal minded as typical liberal US/Aus/UK people). Plus we had a civil war going on. Plus there are a lot of cultural things like technology and social change/fads that occurred in the US or elsewhere that took longer to turn up in Sri Lanka or did not turn up at all.

So far as my sister and I are concerned - we are mutts. Even going by year of birth, the labels that are supposed to fit us don't quite fit.
95 weeks ago

What if you understood the two generations but you don't count yourself as either?

114 weeks ago from XY Cusp

Marisa Wikramanayake recommended this

Marisa Wikramanayake: Definitely don't count myself as either.
95 weeks ago

Bryon Ownby As Internship Coordinator, I do find it interesting in speaking with our students about their perspective on life vs my perspective on life when I was their age 12 years ago. Being someone that leans more towards the Gen Y mindset, I could see some culture differentiation taking place. For the work environment, I do find a major change in life values and how they perceive work.

114 weeks ago from XY Cusp

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Elisa Doucette: I see Gen Y being willing to work late into the night for projects and assignments they feel part of and see value in. However they are also more ...MoreI see Gen Y being willing to work late into the night for projects and assignments they feel part of and see value in. However they are also more quick than previous generations to question the necessity of extra hours "just cause." They won't stay past 5PM because they want to do other things to develop themselves. As a manager you have to sell the value of the time investment and project to make a Gen Y person feel a part of it. My exp is that then they'll be ALL in.
113 weeks ago

Elisa Doucette: Additionally I think this started with the tail-end of Gen X and is flowing over into Gen Y (so pretty much our little cuspy group is to blame!) ...MoreAdditionally I think this started with the tail-end of Gen X and is flowing over into Gen Y (so pretty much our little cuspy group is to blame!) in that work does not always need to take place in an office. I might leave my office at 5 PM, but it's to go to happy hour to meet a center of influence or work on white board at home in the comfort of my PJ's. I think that Gen Y is the first to TRULY embrace the location independence of work and not feel that all must be done in a cubicle/room/etc.
113 weeks ago

Conor O'Kane One thought struck me recently.. I used to think that, as a professional and a person, I needed to learn to relate to people in their 40s and older as peers and colleagues who have different cultural and pop-cultural reference points and who are at a different stage in life. Recently I realised that I need to start thinking about Gen Yers in the same way! Talking to someone who is 20/21 is like talking to someone from a different culture sometimes..

114 weeks ago from XY Cusp

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Elisa Doucette: I do notice differences talking to younger & older, but I'm not sure if that is generational or just life experience. I remember when I was 21 ...MoreI do notice differences talking to younger & older, but I'm not sure if that is generational or just life experience. I remember when I was 21 and thought 30 was SO far away. Now I'm 30 looking at the 21 year olds, who are thinking that of me. The 20's are so volatile it's difficult to tell what are generational markers and what are natural development markers
113 weeks ago

: Xers in their 30's and 40's I could tell had a cynical put down about the subjects I asked them. I asked Yers the same questions and I got a more ...MoreXers in their 30's and 40's I could tell had a cynical put down about the subjects I asked them. I asked Yers the same questions and I got a more response of more interests and enthusiasm.
112 weeks ago

114 weeks ago from XY Cusp

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How are the cupsers doing? Any thoughts on X or Y? How long until history decides if we're Xers or in fact Millennials?

117 weeks ago from XY Cusp

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Conor O'Kane: I agree about the benefits of being a cusper.. We're able to mediate between the two generations and more at ease with both than they might be ...MoreI agree about the benefits of being a cusper.. We're able to mediate between the two generations and more at ease with both than they might be with each other.

Having said all that, I'm a slight sceptic about labelling an entire generation as behaving/thinking a certain way.. I believe people fit better into more specific demographics than just by decade of birth. I know people in their mid-20s who just want to settle down in the one company and people in their mid-30s who will never settle!
114 weeks ago

sq78: we will be considered gen X. i think. but who knows. @Elisa its not so bad.. just bewildering to turn 30. at least it was for me.
102 weeks ago

We cusper gave the younger traditional Yers Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Pink and Beyonce etc. Cusper fans anyone?

120 weeks ago from XY Cusp