Characteristics of Generation X Professionals
Since multiple generations are integrated into the workforce, understanding generational characteristics can help you succeed in your job. Personality traits influence actions, so they can be considered to help ensure positive interactions between professionals, help a manager create policies that will encourage maximum productivity and help you to use your natural talents to advance in your career. This article explains common characteristics of Generation X professionals and how those characteristics can relate to workplace success.
What is Generation X?
Generation X refers to people born during the early to mid-1960s through 1980. They are preceded by baby boomers, who were born between 1943 and 1960, and succeeded by millennials, born between 1980 and 2000. Each generation has different personality traits as a result of the major events of their childhood, and these traits influence how they act in the workplace.
Generation X, also called Gen Xers, grew up with minimal adult supervision and thus learned the value of independence and work-life balance. They also appreciate informality, are technologically adept, flexible and highly educated.
Common Generation X characteristics
Generation X employees are highly valued by employers because of their position in the workforce. While baby boomers are retiring and millennials are still trying to determine their paths, Gen Xers can offer employers a wealth of knowledge, experience and stability. Try using your Generation X characteristics to help you succeed in the workplace.
Independent
Gen Xers are self-sufficient, resourceful and individualistic, since they have been accustomed to caring for themselves since before reaching adulthood. They value freedom and responsibility and try to overcome challenges on their own.
As a Gen Xer, you can use your independence to advance in your career. Try to apply your problem-solving skills to form solutions and then approach your supervisor with your ideas. Generating ideas and finding ways to address issues is a valuable quality in any employee.
Since Gen Xers tend to perform better under only minimal supervision, consider asking your supervisor for more autonomy in your role and use your successes to show how your independence benefits your company. Your independence may lead you to complete tasks correctly and on time with little supervision. Managers could value your independence and entrust you with more responsibilities.
Search for positions that give you opportunities to demonstrate your resourcefulness and allow for creativity.
Work-life balance
Gen Xers value a healthy balance between time spent at work and personal time and want to pursue their own aspirations. Because they lived through difficult economic times in the 1980s, they are less committed to employers than their baby boomer parents. They tend to have a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
As a Gen Xer, you could find your passion and turn it into your career so that you can achieve the work-life balance you value. Consider whether you can find a job doing what you’re passionate about or consider creating one.
Your desire for an even work-life balance may have helped you develop strong time-management skills and improved your strategic-thinking skills as you plan your daily tasks and career goals. Consider emphasizing these skills on your resume.
You may want to find a job that allows for flexible hours, such as freelancing.
Flexible and informal
Gen Xers adapt well to change and value an informal environment. They have a “work hard, play hard” mentality, appreciate humor and value diversity.
Adaptability can be a great strength in your career. If an employer introduces a new method or a client changes requirements, you should have no problem learning and succeeding. This characteristic is another skill that you can highlight on your resume and one that allows you to learn more in order to adapt.
Consider looking for a job that lets you learn multiple skills and has options for growth or change.
Technologically adept
Gen Xers grew up during the transition from analog to digital technology. As the first generation to grow up with computers, they are able to learn and adapt to new technological programs with ease. They witnessed the birth of cell phones and the Internet. They are comfortable with various technological devices such as computers, tablets and smartphones.
You can put your Generation X creativity and technological ability to work for you by using devices to increase your productivity at work and learning new computer skills to advance your career. This characteristic helps you to grow with technology as it advances and can make it easier to learn hard skills such as new computer programs or technology related to your field.
You may want to consider looking for jobs in the information technology field.