The nightmares of a self-entitled generation and employment

[peacetraveler22]

Every spring, I find myself in the same position. I'm tasked with interviewing and hiring summer interns for our office. In the process, I have to weed through a lot of resumes, or CVs as you call them. :) I'm constantly amazed by the way young adults portray themselves to potential employers. Most of them have just graduated high school, or completed their first year of university, so I never expect some grand list of achievements. But there's a common scenario that repulses me, and it's symbolic of the newer American generations.

I will immediately toss in the trash any piece of paper that even remotely suggests a sense of self-entitlement. This is a personality I despise more than most - those who think they should be worshiped and praised only because they exist, and for no other reason. In other words, there's no foundation for their bravado or arrogance, except that their parents have coddled them since well past their baby years. We call them "helicopter parents," because they constantly hover over their children, watching their every move in order to protect them from pain, disappointment and failures in life. Yet no human can ever escape these things.

Of course, all parents should protect and instill a strong sense of self-esteem in kids, but this quality has now drifted into a very sick realm of narcissism, in my view. What else can you expect from an American generation who grew up playing in sports leagues where every kid is handed a trophy - they are taught there are no winners or losers, and it's a brutal slap in the face when they quickly discover life isn't fair. They lack the coping mechanisms to deal with rejections and challenges, because they have been shielded from such things their entire life. Now, I'll show you an example of a CV I immediately tossed away.

This is a 19 year old girl named Rachel Williams. I redacted most of her personal information, but she works at Subway, a fast-food chain in the U.S. There's nothing wrong with this job, as most young people have worked in the retail or food sectors at one point in life. In this position, she makes sandwiches, fills catering orders and cleans bathrooms.

Rachel created a grand term to describe her position by calling herself a "sandwich artist." :)) Then she goes on to make sloppy grammar errors and poor word choices. For instance, there's double capitalization in the short word "AS", she mistyped two commas at one point, and there are other errors. The mistakes would have been obvious with one quick review, yet they are still there. This implies Rachel is lazy, sloppy and careless. Who wants to entrust their work to someone like this? Not me. This is only one example of many horrible CVs I've forced to review.



We live now in a "me, me, me" world, where people want a lot out of life, but aren't willing to give much. Just hire me, just pay me, yes, I'm great...!! This is the over-arching mentality of many people, but it's especially prevalent with millennials.

Btw, I've noticed that for a lot of job listings in Russia, it's necessary to put your age and a photo on the CV. This is very strange for an American, as it's not customary to place pictures on CVs. What's the point? Also, many times the job description will state that the person must be highly attractive, very young in age, etc...I've never seen these requirements in American job postings. Unattractive, middle-age people don't deserve to work? :))

Comments

[koji-ajimofu.livejournal.com]

In Denmark photo is also nice to have. As well as in russia.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's just a way to make the CV more personal? However, it seem like the photo could have a negative impact if you're unattractive. Or, an unfair advantage if you won the genetic pool and are beautiful. :) I guess the issue is now moot anyway, because you can usually find photos of someone on the Internet in a matter of moments if you look.

[sun-jr.livejournal.com]

Wow, I wouldn't have any chance to pass through your preliminary resume selection.

[stan podolski (from livejournal.com)]

hmm. Leaving aside the sloppy grammar, but I would like "sandwich artist", at least the person has some imagination. What would throw me off is the formatting, I believe this is the MUST for working in a paper-oriented office. I can not go around and reformat each letter for my interns, can I.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Why? :)) I'm not so difficult. Do you think it's acceptable to have sloppy grammar and typing errors in resumes?

[logofilka.livejournal.com]

You know, high school graduate does not have enough accomplishments to fill-out one page resume. No education, no work experience. Obviously, she will use the empty space as a little "show-n-tell" opportunity. After all, being "Rachel" is the most interesting thing that happened to her so far.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

"Sandwich artist" is okay and creative, but still a bit pompous. :)) That's why I put smileys after my sentence when I referred to it. In general, I think people must take pride in their work. So, yes, I'm anal about formatting glitches and stupid grammar/spelling errors. The final work product should be aesthetically pleasing and orderly. Especially if it's going to an existing, or potential, client.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

You're right. I said that I don't expect a lot of accomplishments from university students, but a poorly formatted resume with typing errors is not excusable, under any circumstance in my view. Do you have law clerks in your office during the summer?

[irisha8787.livejournal.com]

The age is appropriate because they want to judge the experience by how old the person is. The requirements to the 18 years old are different than to 35 years old.
The picture makes sense when you apply for client-facing jobs. Most of the times those pictures you attach are like a passport-style pics, so you can't really judge on the person complexion and height by looking at it.

It is funny how now I see that parenting is hard. Back in Russia a lot of parents tell you that you are average, a drop in a sea of other talented people, and parents usually show you what flaws you have since you are a kid. So you grow up with a lot of insecurities and pretty much traumatized for the rest of your life. In the US though most parents say that you are a genius from the day you are born. So you grow up not being able to face the failures and imperfections of yourself. So where is the balance? It is tricky I think and what works for one kid and might enlighten and inspire him/her, might completely ruin the other.

[logofilka.livejournal.com]

I tried one summer. NEVER again! It took me three months post-internship to mitigate all damage.

[e-g-o-r-i-u-s.livejournal.com]

Shannon, this is absolutely normal that people in age 20 perceive the social and professional world not like we do, and knowledge about how to write cover letters and CVs comes with experience. First they cannot even get an invitation to an interview despite dozens of sent CVs – and they begin to worry and change their habits. They start being invited but do not manage to get the job – and another phase of self-learning begins. I was so desperate here in Germany when I couldn’t find a work that I have even read a book about how to write all these papers)) And this helped, I believe.

Photos – this is understood that an employer wants to know how a potential worker looks like. Age can be also a factor why a person is “less desirable” than others. Strange for you, but in Russian culture a personality and personal information have different value, and that’s the reason why you are amazed. And I think some girls here could tell you from their experience about much more sensitive questions discussed at interviews which you’ll certainly find totally inappropriate.

[south-of-broad.livejournal.com]

They are just the products of our liberal public schools. Why are you so surprised?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yep, it can be a real nightmare. That's why I'm so picky with who I hire! :)

[beloborodoff.livejournal.com]

I think you overestimated impact of "all get thophies" school policy. There is lazy and there other types of people and they not so dumb to think there is no winners and loosers in real life.

"...many times the job description will state that the person must be highly attractive, very young in age"

This is just honest type of job description. In USA is is illigal to specify age in them. But in real if you want young and attractive woman for job position you can find the ways to do so.

[kichiro-sora.livejournal.com]

Yep, the way they handle trophies for kids nowadays - is horrible way to prepare them to life. I do japanese martial art, and see a lot of beginners kids who simply can't cope with not being able to achieve everything and get a medal, by say, fifth lesson. So they quit and I guess erase the experience from their mind as some weird exception. I know I'm good, so something wrong with this sport :) Good, luck with real life, kids.

Pictures on the resume crack me up too. Ok, Russia, they can't practically do whatever they want there, and the role of the secretary in rich companies, - it's not for typing stuff on the computer :) But they do resume pictures in Germany too! The only reason I can see, so the employer can select candidates based on appearance. What else you need picture for?

[kichiro-sora.livejournal.com]

And it's not like she has to know English to get error-free resume. Any text editor will do that for you nowadays. Which in fact means she doesn't have even basic text-editing skills. And also does not realize that it's important for the job she applying for. Or she could've asked somebody to help her. Not a good candidate for an office intern, is she?

[kichiro-sora.livejournal.com]

>The requirements to the 18 years old are different than to 35 years old.

Why? If you are looking for somebody who can do X and Y - why would requirements be based on age?
Of course if it's a low paying simple job, and the applicant is 48 years old - you know you dealing with a looser...

[278200.livejournal.com]

I think the tradition to post the photo and age has some good reasons. Firstly U can see the adequacy level this chose of photo of person (if i would be a HR manager i pay lot of attention how does the person present himself, does he/she understand the dress code, make up rools & corelate it with the company's profile), seccondly it's important that person doesn't hide his/her face, has clear look and others details (of'course it's easy to make the mistake but anyway i find it's good opportunity to know the person a ltl bit more), ans of'couse there are lots of posts there it's important to have tidy & pleasant appearance

[stan podolski (from livejournal.com)]

then it is not about ME generation, it is just lack of skills required to work in your(mine) office

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Her resume is still symbolic of the "me" generation - she expects someone to hire her, but is not willing to put in any effort to make herself a viable candidate. It takes less than 5 minutes to review and edit this resume to correct mistakes. At least in my mind, maybe you view it differently and this is fine. :)

[new-forester.livejournal.com]

Shannon, can you post an example of a resume that would pique your interest enough to invite the person in for an interview?

The way I look at this (and I deal with 18-21 year-olds all the time, I'm a college instructor) is just treat anyone under 25 as a child. I call them "kids", and interestingly, that's what they call themselves oftentimes. Once you stop treating them as adults, everything falls into place.

Btw, great logic on this girl's bad grammar and lack of proofreading. This is exactly what I tell my students when they complain about me taking points off for things like that - if you want to be taken seriously, learn to write well and don't make silly mistakes, serious people up above will notice those. After all, they are on top because they don't usually make silly mistakes;)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Her errors could have been picked up by one click - using the spelling/grammar check tool in Word. I'm not a demanding boss, and am willing to train someone, but only if they show potential.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's a huge responsibility to be a parent! Too much for me to bear, this is why I never wanted kids. :) Your commentary about the distinctions with parenting in Russia and the U.S. are interesting. Yes, there must be some balance between pointing out a child's flaws, and creating imaginary, positive attributes and skills they don't possess. If you are too far with either spectrum, you most often create a very fucked up adult.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yep, women have told me all the shocking questions asked in Russian interviews related to whether they're married, single, have kids, want to get pregnant...it's strange for me definitely. :)) Anyway, age is also treated differently here. People are not seen as worthless past age 30 or 40, I'm speaking as a woman. For men, age appears much less relevant in Russia. A lot of Russian men have highly inflated egos and senses of self-worth, often for no reason. Just like the youngsters I described in this post. :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't know about schools, as I have no children. I can only judge based on the conduct of kids/parents at sporting events, because my nephew has played on soccer leagues since he was 4, and is now on a traveling team. I've gone to most of his games. Actually, I recall that in his class, kids aren't allowed to hand out invitations for birthday parties. I could not even believe it when my sister told me!! Why? To protect other kids in the class from getting hurt if they're not invited...such bullshit. We are really raising a generation of frail wussies. So, I frequently tell my nephew bad parts about life to prepare him. It's my duty as an auntie - to inform him women will reject him, he can't always get what he wants, sometimes things aren't fair....Just a completely different world now.