How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes at Work - The Muse

How to Get Your Boss to Say Yes at Work - The MuseHow to Get Your Boss to Say Yes at Work Remember the last time your boss told you, No?Maybe it was a response to your request for a raise, or perhaps it was when you asked if you could expense a professional development class. Regardless of why your ask wasnt met with approval, it sucked, right? Being turned down is not only disappointing, but it can also feel like a personal rejection, which can really sting. While its inevitable that youll be occasionally hear No, when youre looking for a Yes, (or at least a Maybe), there are things you can do to reduce how often you hear it. binnensee if any of following reasons are getting in the way of you hearing, Yes, of course1. You Forgot to Check the CalendarYou really shouldnt underestimate the power of timing. Maybe when you burst into your managers office with the announcement that you wished to be included on the latest marketing project, you caught her at a particularly bad time. Her te nse phone call with the executive team didnt go as planned, and now shes in no mood to hear your proposal. Or perhaps you didnt consider that his mood takes a turn for the worse in the last hour before lunch and its really not ideal to approach him until after hes finished eating. Its an easy fix Use your offices scheduling tools- whether its Google calendar, Outlook, or pen and paper- to find a time when your boss isnt slammed. Even if youre totally pumped about what youre planning on asking (and want to ask ASAP), take a second to think about how important timing can be- will approaching him or her right after the budget planning meeting really be the best time to ask about expensing that class youve had your eye on? Probably not. If you want that thumbs up, plan ahead (and be patient).2. You Didnt Do Your HomeworkAnother likely way to get a flat no is if you fail to support your case. Say you want to work from home once a week. Well, you should be prepared to answer the five Ws ( who, what, when, where, why) that are bound to come up.If you come prepared with facts- maybe its studies stating productivity increases after working remotely- and details on execution (Ill be online during office hours and provide a daily completed task list before signing off for the night), youll make it easier to get your idea approved. Along with answering the 5 Ws, you need to brainstorm possible objections or questions and formulate how youll answer them and how youll turn a refusal into an approval. The last thing you need is for your boss to agree to all points of your proposal, only to tie you up with one pointed question (that you arent prepared to answer) like, How will you complete your monthly analytics report that requires sensitive data thats not allowed out of the office? Maybe the answer is as simple as creating a mock schedule to show how youd make your work from home days compatible with your responsibilities, but the point is you should be prepared to address a ny potential pitfalls to your plan and any objections before you begin the conversation.3. You Didnt Leave Your BubbleYou may think that keeping your request private is best practiceand in some cases youd be absolutely right. But, for some things, it can be beneficial to talk to your co-workers before you ask. If you dont directly work with other teams, you may not realize that the marketing project youre trying to get underway is being addressed in two days at the company-wide meeting. Speaking to Stan, whos on the engineering team (instead of marching into your managers office with your ask), would have given you much-needed information. And that raise youre after? If youd confided in your work wife, you may have learned about the hiring freeze and financial issues that your department is struggling with right now. Getting out of your bubble and listening to outside perspectives from co-workers (or even friends and relatives) can help inform your plan on how- and when- to approach your boss and get a yes. Maybe youve tried approaching your manager using the advice above and still got turned down. Its frustrating, but before you attribute the negative response to him not liking you, or because hes being a bad boss, think about how you can best handle the rejection. Let your manager know that youre disappointed (without sounding like youre complaining), and ask her if theres anything you can do going forward that would change the decision. Sometimes therell be nothing you can do, but it never hurts to ask. And it definitely doesnt hurt to stay professional and respectful while youre doing it.Photo of man with clasped hands courtest of Sam Edwards/Getty Images.

3 Steps to Transitioning Careers As A LGBTQ Professional

3 Steps to Transitioning Careers As A LGBTQ Professional3 Steps to Transitioning Careers As A LGBTQ Professional Its official more and more companies are encouraging LGBTQ friendly policies and environments for employees. This is good news for LGBTQ job seekers, as finding a job in an inclusive office can improve your professional life and your well-being The Williams Institute reports supportive workplaces result in greater job commitment, improved workplace relationships, increased job satisfaction, and improved health outcomes among LGBTQ employees. This welches the atmospherbeie Sam Young was seeking when she began her job search as an openly queer, gender non-conforming woman after working in investment banking she explained, As a queer feminist, I wasnt on the same wavelength as most of the people that I worked with. Now Senior Director of Content, Creator, and Markets Operations at Spotify , Youngs journey can help some of those who are transitioning to a new career to find a job that accepts their whole self.If your identity is causing limitations between you and your colleagues, it may be time to consider a new workplace. At her bank job, Young had difficulty connecting with her co-workers due to her queerness. I sensed that many of my colleagues were awkward around me, not out of fear or hatred, but simply because they didnt know anyone else like me, she said. After years of being misgendered at the office, she recognized she wanted a change in her work environment. I wanted more than colleagues at work I wanted friends.Calling upon peers in the LGBTQ community and other friends can help you identify inclusive organizations and find the perfect job. Young informed her connections that she was beginning her job search and asked them to refer her to companies she may be interested in. She also sat down with friends and colleagues to find out what they enjoyed about their jobs to see what would potentially interest her as a career . Young was eventually drawn to the tech industry because of its independent work ethic and welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQ people. She also joked, I also wanted to wear shorts to work after years of wearing suits. Attending LGBTQ-friendly meetups and conferences also provides a more formal atmosphere to network. Young recommends Lesbians Who Tech and LGBTQ-friendly Meetups to find fellow professionals.One way to show off your authentic self before meeting a potential employer in person is by sprucing up your resume. Young used Enhancv to make her resume feel more genuinely her . She credits the tool for allowing her to add sections about her favorite books and activities, life philosophy and a personal photo, saying, It gave potential employers more insight into who I am and whether I was a personality fit for their team.Rocking your signature style when networking and interviewing can ensure you find a workplace where you can present yourself comfortably. When starting her c areer, Young was advised by a counselor to soften her look and present more femininely during her job search. But Young recognized that doing so could limit her potential to express herself I knew that pretending to be someone else during recruitment meant I would have to continue faking it at the workplace. Since she felt safe presenting as herself during her second job search, Young took the opportunity to do so. Its possible that I missed out on opportunities by coming to interviews in a suit and tie, but a company that would only hire me if I wore a skirt and pumps was not a company I wanted to work for, she said.Its not the responsibility or obligation of LGBTQ employees to be out at work. But for those professionals who are open about their identities, feeling comfortable expressing yourself in the workplace can be instrumental to succeeding in your career. At Spotify, Young finds herself in an environment where being queer and gender non-conforming is no longer the elephant i n the room I can be my authentic self when I walk into the door and its an enormous relief.

How to Mention Fun Facts About Yourself in a Job Search

How to Mention Fun Facts About Yourself in a Job SearchHow to Mention Fun Facts About Yourself in a Job SearchJob searching can feel very regimented There are guidelines for resume and titelblatt letter formats that extend down to the smallest details, such as your font choice. Once you make it to the interview stage, theres an expectation that youll have prepared answers to common interview questions. No wonder job search documents can become repetitive and formulaic, and interview answers may sound over-rehearsed. Preparation and following job search norms areessential. But that doesnt mean that your application materials and interview answers should be stripped of all personality. Sharing fun facts about yourself distinguishes you from the crowd, and can make you a stronger, more appealing candidate. The Value of Fun Facts in Your Job Search Say you perform as a stand-up comedian on weekends - sharing that detail lets employers know youre quick-witted and comfortable in front of a crowd. Thats a useful skill for any job that requires public speaking. Even a hobby of building model trains on the weekend can showcase patience for details. Fun facts are a path to sharing relevant abilities and transferable skills. Mentioning them also helps transition interviews from a question-and-answer format to something a bit more conversational. Fun facts can give employers a sense of your full self (beyond your in-office persona). Direct managers and co-workers are often particularly eager to get a sense of what candidates are like both in the cubicle and also at client dinners, late nights at the office, or early morning coffee runs. A Cautionary Note Share Fun Facts Judiciously While there are advantages to sharing fun facts throughout your job application, experts often warn against showing too much personality or going overboard with humor. After all, you dont want to share anything that recruiters see as silly, offensive, or just plain a waste of their time. Here are tips for which fun facts to share - andwhich to keep to yourself Be Honest Theres no sense sharing a hobby or interest that isnt truly something you enjoy or engage in. If you include marathoner on your resume, but havent done one, or run in decades, it could lead to an awkward moment in your interview.Be Interesting Its fine to share typical hobbies and interests - cooking, reading, yoga, watching movies - but of course, its wonderful to put things that are a bit unexpected. Whatever your interest, be prepared to talk about it in an engaging way.Be Relevant Always, always, do your best to relate fun facts back to the job at hand. Sharing hobbies can be a great way to show off transferrable skills - if you are part of a local hockey gruppe, youre likely a strong team player, for instance. Where to Share Fun Facts on Your Resume Your resume may be one of the very easiest places to share fun facts You can add a section called Hobbies and Interests and include them th ere. Experts often recommend removing this section if youre tight on space - thats certainly reasonable advice, but including it offers interviewers an opportunity to connect on something a bit more personal than people you know in common through universities or previous jobs. In this section, you can include volunteer experience and extracurriculars, as well as general hobbies and interests. Where to Add Fun Facts to Your Cover Letter Tread carefully here Unlike a resume, there is no set section for sharing fun facts. Since cover letters are intended to make a tight, persuasive case for your candidacy,its a poor idea to include extraneous sentences that do not further this goal. However, some of your interests may jive well with the job at hand. You might write, In my role at XYZ company, I was able to reduce the time spent on drafting an annual report by 15 percent. Honestly, improving workflows is just a part of my personality anywhere I go At XYZ Charity, I created and main tain the volunteer training schedule. In a nutshell, share fun facts about yourself in your cover letter only if theyre relevant to the role, and make sure the connection to the job is crystal clear. Sharing Fun Facts During Your Interview If youre bored during the interview, then your interviewer likely feels similarly. Thats not a good outcome. Aim to show some personality during job interviews sharing fun facts makes your responses memorable, and gives interviewers a full sense of you as a person. Here are some questions where sharing fun facts - like your hobbies and interests - can help What are your hobbies?What are you passionate about? What is your greatest strength?What is your greatest weakness? The idea here is to use your fun fact as a path to talking about yourself as a worker. So, for instance, if you were asked about your greatest weakness, you might start by talking about how youve always struggled with discipline, but training for a marathon showed you how struc ture and routine could help you succeed in long-term projects. Then, you want to loop your answer back around to a work situation and show again, how youre working to increase your discipline. So go ahead Use fun facts to provide a full picture of yourself, and share some engaging, memorable information about yourself throughout your application process, from your resume through to in-person interviews.

Someones always watching

Someones always watchingSomeones always watchingGiblin and several other former employees at the paper started their own newspaper-like website (the Arizona Guardian) that focuses on the states political and governmental scenes. He was down and out, but is now online and in headlines. In the best of all possible worlds which this isnt, given the financial and organizational shambles that is news publishing the award would lead to some interesting job offers. It still could, but any potential deals would certainly arrive on a mora relaxed timetable that usual.So for anyone out there, continue to do your best work, even if you know your corporate ship may be sinking. Even if you get laid off, your contributions to the company will live on and you never know whos watching. Contrary to the printed warning on a stock prospectus, for your next potential employer, your past performance often serves as a guarantee of future results. Posted by Todd Obolsky, Vault News & Commentary

What You Dont Know About Resume Administrative Assistant Could Be Costing to More Than You Think

What You Dont Know About Resume Administrative Assistant Could Be Costing to More Than You Think Vital Pieces of Resume Administrative Assistant An Administrative assistant role is extremely essential for organizations to guarantee all administrative work is performed professionally and efficiently. Administrative assistants are employed in nearly every type of large and established companies where the administration function is too large to control. Absence of organization can cause difficult scenarios that might lead to losses. Needless to say HR personnel of the majority of corporations are extremely good with respect to element. Resume Administrative Assistant - What Is It? Before writing your cover letter, ensure youre acquainted with the business. Writing an acceptance letter is really very straightforward. The subsequent Administrative Assistant resume sample and writing advice will aid in improving your odds of receiving an interview. From my performance history an d letters of recommendation, you will observe that I am able to provide exceptional office management abilities. At the same time that you wont need to do much math all on your own because QuickBooks includes its own calculator feature, you will be more inclined to catch and fix problems if you are in possession of a strong sense of numbers and should you are aware of what the answers should be. Resume writing can be challenging. Functional formats are ideal for job seekers with numerous work gaps. The right format ought to be there in addition to the kind of writing. You will need to reveal the proper skills. Naturally, each job will call for unique abilities and experiences, so make certain you read the job description with care and concentrate on the skills listed by the employer. Only a professional resume can allow you to climb the anfangsbuchstabe steps towards success. From time to time, especially in entry level positions, of which an administrative professional ca n be one, no prior understanding of your particular industry could be required, but theres the expectation that you are going to learn quickly at work, and absorb the crucial lingo and concepts that are used daily in your area. Learn through personal sources such as former customers, relatives and friends if theres an opening for administrative assistant. While being bilingual is not typically required for administrative assistants, it might be a fine bonus for businesses that work with international customers. A properly written resume is one which isnt too overwhelming in the opinion of employers. In case you are asking for an administrative assistant position for virtually any company, the reader of the resume will expect you to be formal and avoid unnecessary jokes or other staff. For the ideal executive assistant resumes, cover letters are crucial. Found the exact same system for a medicial assistant medical assistant cover letter will help you should be used. The Caree r Objective is intended to provide the hiring manager a reason to carry on reading your resume. Administrative skills are wanted for a number of jobs, which range from office assistants to secretaries to office managers. Writing objectives for resumes can be hard. Dont neglect to have a look at the subsequent Administrative Assistant resume sample for more information about how to make yours perfect Also explain you will be pleased to supply any extra documents they may need. Administrative Assistant Resume Templates demonstrate the candidates capacity to do varieties of administrative works and a number of other details that are expected to present in the work application. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Resume Administrative Assistant Be certain that you have all of the essential qualifications. Candidates must exemplify the highest degree of professionalism and expertise in a variety of office procedures. Organization Administrative jobs of all sorts need stron g organizational skills. Hiring managers wish to find somebody who can keep everything organized over the upcoming several decades. Administrative Assistants ought to be adept in multitasking and can keep calm under pressure. Employed as an administrative assistant will be able to help you earn a sufficient amount of money and is regarded as a strong career path for anybody that has a passion of working with several files and secretarial work. The summary section is absolutely the very best approach to describe yourself to other LinkedIn members. There is a variety of of administrative assistant posts. In the majority of cases, an administrative assistant is the initial point of contact for clients. Tips With he resume it needs to have a lot of action. The One Thing to Do for Resume Administrative Assistant Administrative work is growing increasingly reliant on software. In case you have work experience and practical experience utilizing computer computer software applic ations like word processing and spreadsheets, you are going to have the best prospects of locating a job. For example, if youre applying at a hospital, you should mention the way your record keeping and database management skills can allow you to do your work effectively. You need to have a superior typing speed also.

Why Everybody Is Talking About Top Tip on Writing Resume

Why Everybody Is Talking About Top Tip on Writing Resume What is Really Happening with Top Tip on Writing Resume Now you understand how to compose the ideal teaching resume, its time to detect the ideal place to send it. The majority of the times your prior work experience will be the absolute most significant part the resume, so put it at the top. There are a lot of unique approaches to organize the info on your resume, but the fantastic old reverse chronological (where your latest experience is listed first) is still your best choice. The majority of the time the folks that are reading the resume really dont have a thing to do with the job and dont have any direct experience with it. There are many websites with tips around the internet, but most bring just a small number of them. Its simple to create a profile and get started linking to new contacts. You should have the ability to identify what profile they are interested in and the way the info ought to be presented. What to Expect From Top Tip on Writing Resume? Your resume must prove clearly and concisely that youre the perfect candidate for the work prospect. All they must know is if youve got the experience, education and expertise to successful manage the job. Create a distinctive CV for each and every job that you apply for. If youre not content at your present job, look at changing it. You will never know who will know a person who is hiring. A recruiter trying to find a marketer might landseek out someone acquainted with Google Analytics and Google AdWords. Analyze job ads You will see loads of helpful info on job ads. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Top Tip on Writing Resume Whatever you include in your resume must reinforce how youre a proper job candidate. Even if your work experience is ideal, a subpar resume could sink your odds of getting a work interview. Language skills are sometimes an excellent selling point on your resume. Know the purpose of you r resume Some folks write a resume like the use of the document was supposed to land work. Actually it might even hurt your odds of landing an interview. If youre asking for a job which has unique requirements, you might need another edition of your resume to completely demonstrate your qualifications. Prioritize the info supplied for each position starting with the most relevant and important details in regard to the job that you are applying for. Its possible that forfirst job resumes, its not essential for the applicant to have a comprehensive cover letter. however, it cannot go amiss when it has to do with applying for work. Alongside thethree main sections to include in a resume, it is advised to tailor your resume to your private profile with the addition of different subheadings where you are able to develop the appropriate details. Most resumes incorporate the next sections, even though the order is dependent upon the resume format you select. With industry-specific text examples ready that you personalize, you can produce a perfect resume any moment.

Marketing Yourself as a Freelancer with Social Media

Marketing Yurself as a Freelancer with Social MediaMarketing Yourself as a Freelancer with Social MediaAnother day, another early morning answering emails, taking one-off phone calls and parking in your local coffee shop in order to get a few things done. If youre one of the growing numbers professionals that are a part of the freelance movement, you know the drill, and the pain, that can come along with working for yourself. Sure, the perks of not having to answer to a corporate hierarchy are amazing. But the downsides, like having to listen to your seatmate recount via phone (much too loudly) the play by play of their blind date from the night before or having to trommel up business in increasingly creative ways, can be a bitdaunting.At Simply Hired, however, par for the course has never been our cup of tea. If youre striking out on your own there are plenty of ways to market your skills, regardless of the specialty area of expertise. Want to learn more? Read on for our expert advi ce on how to market yourself as a freelancer on social media. Facebook The platform may have taken a few hits in recent days, but Facebook remains the venue of choice for just about anyone, and there mother and grandmother too. From selfies to shameless pet pics, Facebook is a great place to share whats new and exciting about your personal life. If youre the work from home type, Facebook is also an excellent platform for drumming up extra business.Facebook pages are free and knocking one out for your personal business takes no more than a few moments and the patience to get through an instructional video or two. In plus-rechnen to your own space to market your activities, sharing your professional aspirations with your social circle is a great way to help spread the word. Maybe aunt Mildreds co-worker is in need of a photographer for her daughters upcoming wedding. Or maybe your cousin Kim needs cupcakes whipped up special for her sons one year birthday bonanza. Whatever the event, Facebook is a great tool for helping others discover your professional passion if simply due to the sheer numbers of people who use the service. YouTubeIf youre of the impression that YouTube is just the place for pirated tv shows or music videos from that band you used to follow in high school, think again. Businesses of all kinds pay big money to make professional, highly targeted YouTube videos in order to help promote your brand. If youre a freelancer looking for business, theres no reason you shouldnt be doing the same.A quick video that highlights your skills, shows off a product or otherwise promotes your individual freelance skills is a great way to drum up business. Try demonstrating a few minutes of your craft or speaking to your customers about packages, promotions or your range of offerings. Videos create a personal interaction thats hard to mimic in other formats. Use this opportunity to sell just what makes you, and your freelance skills, unique in order to increase re venue and exposure. TwitterWho says you cant make a BIG impact in a small space? Twitter is an increasingly popular venue for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Start out by following relevant movers and shakers in your field. Retweet a few of their relevant posts and try to interact to drum up a following. Once youve managed to attract some attention, use Twitter as a succinct way to get your message across. Followers on the platform love to hear a quick word about how youre progressing in your studio or in your newest project. Have an online shop or sell goods that people can score deals on? Twitter is a great place to share a quick coupon code which, in turn, will get people paying more attention to your feed.Social media gets a bad wrap in the professional world, but theres a reason that some of Wall Streets biggest and brightest are increasingly using the platform to grow and expand. Utilized well, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media sites can help promote and gr ow your freelance services, helping to maintain your independent lifestyle and ability to work for yourself.

Establishing Confidence When Interviewing for an Internship

Establishing Confidence When Interviewing for an InternshipEstablishing Confidence When Interviewing for an InternshipRecently I have been working directly with a number of students on how to prepare for an internship interview. The interview may be by phone or in-part, but basically preparing for either type of interview is quite similar so we can discuss both all in one sitting. Students who have done a lot of interviewing in the past are generally bedrngnis as stressed about the process but for students who tend to be more introverted or who have not done too many actual interviews, interviewing can be quite a scary experience. Simple Tips I like to begin preparing students for interviewing by offering a few simple tips that I believe will help them. This often includes helping them change their perspective of the entire interviewing process. What often helps students in preparing is letting them know that they will also be interviewing the company as much as the company will be interviewing them. If they plan and prepare themselves as best they can for the actual interview, the determining factor often comes down to the interviewers impression and how well the interviewer feels that the student will make a good fit for the company. Oftentimes if the company doesnt feel like the student is a good fit for the organization, the student may also find that the culture of the organization is not the right one for them. Taking Control of the Interview My basic advice for students in preparing for an interview is to both begin and end the interview strong. Taking control as you walk in and out of the interview can increase a students chance of getting hired enormously. For example, as you enter the room be sure to give a firm handshake, maintain direct eye contact, smile, and say something like Its very nice to meet you and Id like to thank you for taking the time to meet with me to discuss my candidacy for the summer internship position currently open at Google. On the other hand, as you are leaving you will maintain the same firm handshake, direct eye contact, smile, and say something like, I have thoroughly enjoyed discussing the internship position with you and I know my knowledge, skills, and previous academic and work experiences would make me an excellent candidate for the job. Establishing Confidence Prior to Your Interview Once you feel confident in your non-verbal skills, its time to take a look at how you can prepare answers to interview questions in the most direct and professional manner. To do this you will begin by writing down your knowledge, skills, relevant college coursework, relevant experience, and personal attributes along with why you are the best person for the internship. I always recommend that students write down a list of things that they want the employer to know about them and then find a way to incorporate this information in their answers to whatever the interviewer decides to ask in the interview . What Do You Want the Interviewer to Know About You? As a student preparing for an interview, you will not know exactly what questions the interviewer will be asking. Even so, there are a number of questions you can prepare for that would be very similar to other questions that might be asked. In preparing, be mindful of what you want the interview to know about you. Sample Answer I am a very self-motivated individual and enjoy taking the initiative whether in a classroom or work setting. I pride myself in having a strong work ethic in combination with my excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which have proven invaluable in my courses and previous internship and work experiences. In my Introduction to Business course at my college brde year, I led a group of 5 gruppe members in researching and planning a presentation to a board of executives visiting the class. My summer internship last year gave me the chance to take theory and put it into practice. I not only led the companys social media campaign but was asked to sit in with the VP of the company and present my views on student recruitment and what my thoughts were on the overall commitment the organization made in the local community. I was also a member of my high school basketball team for four years and captain senior year. At my college, I play intramural sports along with committing two hours per week to doing community service in the local community where I live. My ability to work well in a team and individually has contributed greatly to my success. The Importance of Thank You Notes Once youve successfully completed the interviewing process, be sure to send a thank you note within 24 hours to every person that interviewed you. In the note, you might re-iterate your interest in the internship and mention a few key things that you discussed that you really find exciting. Your knowledge and skills may be very similar to other students applying, so a well thought out thank you not e could end up being the last thing that ends up getting you hired. Last but not least, the best piece of advice I can give is practice, practice, practice. You may practice with a career counselor at your college or with a family member of friend. Its important to practice out loud so even if youre practicing on your own, be sure to answer the questions out loud to help better prepare you in voicing your responses at the actual interview.

Gen X Lawyers in the Legal Workplace

in richtung X Lawyers in the Legal WorkplaceGen X Lawyers in the Legal WorkplaceIf theTraditionalistswere the sicher builders, and theBaby Boomerswere the competitive, self-actualizing, workaholics, Generation X is the misunderstood slacker generation. Characteristics of Generation X Generation X welches born between 1965 and 1980, and its members are currently 34 to 49 years old. The least wanted, least parented generation in recent history, Gen X is both 25% smaller than the Baby Boomer generation that preceded it and 25% smaller than the Millennial/Gen Y generation that follows it. Gen X is the product of the economic bust that followed the post-World War II boom, resulting in a generation with lowered expectations, but- arguably- a more realistic understanding of the world than the idealistic Baby Boomers. Gen Xers grew up in a world wheredivorce was becoming normal,women were entering the workplace in record numbers, globalization was accelerating, and downward mobility was commonplace. Workplace loyalty was a relic of the past - Gen Xers knew better than to rely on one company or employer for a lifetime of employment. That simply wasnt going to happen. Because they grew up as the latchkey generation, Gen Xers came to rely on friends as family, and, eventually, demanded work-life balance in ways that were foreign to the workaholic Boomers and Traditionalists, who worked long hours, but were richly rewarded for their efforts. Gen Xers saw things differently- why work long hours and dedicate your life to a single employer when the factory might close and get shipped overseas, or the company might decide to downsize to increase profits? Gen X was also a generation raised on technology, making them potentially a bridge between Boomers and Traditionalists, who tend to view technology with suspicion, and the Millennials, who are so steeped in it that they cant imagine anyonenotknowing how to use the latest gadgets or apps. A typical member of Gen X remember s seeing email and the internet for the first time- and rapidly realizing the possibilities for what it could do (including reducing the need for dreaded face time and meetings). How Gen X Values are Impacting the Legal Workplace When Gen X entered the workplace, they were immediately, and not entirely fairly, stereotyped as slackers. The reality, from the Gen X viewpoint, was simply that they saw through the game, and werent going to work long hours and do what they were told when there was no realistic prospect of advancement. The economy had slowed down dramatically by the early 1970s, andwage growth decoupled from productivity gains, meaning workers werent benefiting from increased productivity as they had in years past. At the same time, inflation and interest rates skyrocketed, as did consumer and student debt. (Student loans almost doubled between 1977 and 1990 and more than 40% of the graduating class of 1990 had a job that didnt require a college degree or no job at all .) Because the Baby Boomer generation was so much larger than Gen X, opportunities for advancement were slim, meaning lower-level employees often had to jump ship to advance. Law firms also closed ranks and upped the requirements for partnership (especially after theAmerican Lawyerstarted openly publishing profits-per-partner numbers in 1985.) Gen X wasnt eager to put in the face time that Boomers and Traditionalists valued, and tried to negotiate new work-life balance options (not entirely successfully, given their relatively small workplace numbers). Gen Xers also found themselves frustrated at the seeming inability of law firms and other legal employers to use technology to streamline work and increase flexibility. These trends have continued, as the newMillennial/Gen Y generationenters the legal workforce and reshapes it in their image.