Every Generation Struggles with Social Media - CareerEnlightenment.com

Baby Boomer Issues With Social MediaSince Boomers often look at the younger generations and assume social media is easy for them, they set themselves up for failure. “Oh, those kids text and play X-box. This stuff is easy for them. But I’m older and don’t get technology.”And with this thought, every learning curve becomes ten times more frustrating. This is what psychologists call a false schema, also known as a self-fulfilling prophesy.The truth is, every generation has their hurdles when using social media,and there are many advantages to being a Boomer in the social media world.First,  you are uniquely qualified to recognize the impact social media has had in the world of hiring.  You have seen the rise of many new technologies and you know the power they have in transforming our world. You saw color television emerge, you saw FM change from talk to music, and you saw computers shrink from the size of buildings to the size of fists.Second,  you are less likely to screw up with social media than other generations.  You approach technologies cautiously because you’ve had computers that would break if you pushed the wrong button.These are some areas of focus for baby boomers when using social media to find work.Use online training and help. Don’t be overly cautious, sometimes you need to just bite the bullet, and fill out that Twitter profile, even though you don’t know if you are going to screw it up. Job-Hunt has several articles on using social media for job search you can read.   And, plenty of other training and Youtube videos will help you through it.Be yourself (within reason). Don’t be afraid to show a little more personality online then what you are used to. Your job search paradigm is very formal. All of your resumes are written in third person, and you have been trained to be “professional.” Know that, these days, fit and personality may outweigh capability. Let your hair down a little bit when using social media. For you, this wi ll probably feel uncomfortable, but will be seen as refreshing.Leverage your knowledge and experience. You understand strategy. You have 20+ years of professional experience and know how to take your time, watch, and make important decisions. Apply some of that strategic thinking to your social media presence. Know who you are targeting in your job search, and then approach them with a plan to add value. You know how to do this!  Bottom LineOverall, each generation must face their own unique hurdles when adopting social media. So never fall into the trap of thinking that “those other people have an advantage over me”. With social media, the playing field is level, and those millions of Americans winning their jobs with it are the ones willing to go through the stages of adoption and take their time to educate themselves on something new.