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A recent report published by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that in the last year, social networking services have nearly doubled in popularity in Americans over the age of 50. Interesting, there were virtually no inroads among those aged 18 to 29. The spike in popularity also includes those over 65 years old who are twice as likely this year as compared with last to say that they belonged to social networking sites.

The authors of the report suggest a few reasons for the increasing popularity of social networking among seniors (aside from the observation that older people are slower overall to adopt technological innovations). 

First, social networking sites provide a rare opportunity to bridge the generational divide; for example grandparents and grandchildren can keep track of each other or share family photos on a single network like Facebook. Second, many older Americans use Facebook and even Twitter to reconnect with people from their past. Finally, social networking sites have been around for almost a decade and there are growing signs that younger folks are moving beyond social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to the next big thing (whatever that may be).

While online networking sites may have begun to outlive their usefulness for social activities, there is trend toward the use of these sites for professional purposes including job searches and access to information. LinkedIn and BioCrowd are two good examples of this type of online professional networking sites.

FYI, I rarely visit Facebook and occasionally have time for Twitter (I turned 57 this past July). Most of my online time is spent on LinkedIn and BioCrowd looking for new contacts and access to interesting information about the life sciences industry. 

Just sayin’

Until next time...

Good Luck and Good Surfing!!!!!!!!!

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The differences between the Millennial (born 1980ish-2000) and Baby Boomers (born 1947-1966) generations are noticeable and stark. To that end, the differences between these two generational groups have been the subject of many articles and many talk radio shows (my friend  fellow boomer and host of the always amusing The Recruiting Animal Show loves the get me “going” on the topic).

Before I legitimately entered the Web 2.0 world several years ago, I thought the planet was in serious jeopardy (how boomer-centric of me!). While Millennials aka GenY have their own problems —just like me and my fellow boomers —I believe that their sense of community, connectivity and transparency, may, in the end, save a world that is being run into the ground. That said there is an interesting article in the Sunday New York Times business section written by Michael Costonis and Rob Salkowitz that clearly delineates the differences between Millennials and status-quo boomers; and why it is important for boomers to co-exist rather than resist Millennial trends in the workplace. The authors describe Millennials this way:

“Young workers grew up in a digital culture distinguished by near-immediate sharing of information. They tend to be collaborative and team-oriented, even when they aren’t technology experts. They grew up multitasking and don’t see the sharp delineations between “work” and “leisure” that previous generations did. Millennials often prize freedom, innovation and speed over security and stability. They seek flexibility in work schedules and work locations.

Most of all, young workers take access to technology for granted — as a way to get information, keep track of friends, schedule activities and do their work. And, of course, this access has now gone mobile, via wireless connections and smartphones.

Newer technology also creates a more networked and less hierarchical workplace. Work is distributed across more people in more places, with virtual teams communicating more or less instantly.”

Not a bad set of characteristics and skill sets, if leveraged correctly, may actually improve workplace efficiency and productivity and possibly reduce costs!

We boomers like to think of ourselves as agents of change. While this may have been true in the ‘60s and ‘70s, it is no longer the case—once a group becomes the so-called establishment there is no impetus or inducement to change the status quo. And, as many boomers have learned, change can be difficult and nobody really likes it! 

With this in mind, it makes sense for boomers to tap into their inner, ancient desires for change and accommodate, rather than resist, workplace changes being insisted upon by millennial hires. After all, they will be running the world in the next decade or so and if we aging boomers want to be taken care of and treated well, then a little support and understand may go a long way! And, as we used to say back in the tumultuous ‘60s: “Try it; you’ll like it!”

Until next time...

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!

Addendum: I was taken to task by a GenXer who claimed that, in typically Baby-boomer style I tried to butt in on GenX by asserting that the Boomer generation extended until 1966. While some experts claim that GenX may have begun as early as 1961 others do not and contend that it began in earnest in the West in 1966.  In any event, Baby Boomers and GenXers are aging and will ultimately have to cede control to the Millennials.  But hey, why not split a few hairs (even if many of us have few hairs left to do that!)

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Using Facebook and Twitter to find jobs is becoming routine in many industries including healthcare. However, the life sciences industry is lagging behind most others when it comes to social media and recruitment. Nevertheless, many companies and academic institutions are beginning to realize that Facebook (FB), Twitter and other science social networks are good source of qualified candidates for  those difficult-to fill job openings. 

Lindsey Pollak, a GenY career guru who, writes on the use of social media for job searching, alerted me to a post (via Twitter @biojobblog) that describes how to effectively use FB to find a job.  While FB may be useful to scientist looking for work, there are many other bioscience social networks like BioCrowd (@biocrowd) that regularly post jobs and career opportunities for life scientists.

Until next time...

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting 

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