So what exactly is a “Boomeranger?” In short, it is a term to describe Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers who have moved back home with parents and family, in response to the current recession. While this situation may provide financial relief for the young adult, there are many facets to this arrangement that need exploring.
Often after an “unsuccessful” job hunt, a young adult may return home and continue to be financially supported by their parents. 10% of all children over the age of 25 now live with their parents and a startling one third of all American men between the ages of 22 and 34 still live with their parents, an increase of 100% percent in the last two decades, according to the Census Bureau. Statistically, a large percentage of this population becomes more passive in their search for employment. They begin to lack motivation, and may unconsciously be manipulating their parents into believing that “there is just nothing out there.” Parents take the bait, continue to enable the young adult, and now a prophecy has been self-fulfilled. Indeed, the “Boomeranger” has positioned his/herself as “unemployable”. The longer you are idle, the less likely you will be desired by a potential employer.
So what can we do to help motivate and move this generation to action?
Start Planning before the diploma is in hand. Set up a four-year plan to help assemble a tool kit so there is something to put on the resume. Academics are important, but they need to be complemented with life experience. Joining organizations help individuals learn to be part of a team, to acquire leadership skills, plan events, and develop time management skills. Internships and jobs show responsibility and the ability to juggle multiple priorities. All are characteristics that a future employer will seek.
Encourage young adults to take responsibility for their job search. Is their resume well-prepared? Are they out their networking or simply claiming that they can’t find any positions on the internet? Only 10% of jobs available are public knowledge. Only the aggressive job-seeker is finding what’s really out there. Do they have a daily plan? A specific number of contacts to make per day? The job search should be treated as a job, with to do lists, deadlines and accountability.
It’s often easier to find a job when you are employed. The first job may not be ideal or have anything to do with that four-year degree. But WHATEVER the job is, it will build the resume and show that the individual is not sitting back in defeat.
Say goodbye to the security blanket.A tough economy means making concessions. It might mean taking on multiple roommates for an affordable living situation. Maybe it means getting a foot in the door with an unpaid internship while working a part-time evening position.
Stay in motion. To reach the destination, you need to get on the bus. Sitting at the bus stop, gets you nowhere.
Michelle A. Riklan, Founder
Michelle A. Riklan holds a B.A. in Theatre, English Literature and Speech Communications from Hofstra University. While beginning her corporate career, she pursued and completed a M.A. in Speech and Interpersonal Communications from New York University where she also served as an Instructor in Voice and Diction/Public Speaking. Utilizing her education and presentation skills, she continued a career path in Human Resource Management. Her generalist background is all inclusive, but her areas of expertise include employment, employee relations and training and development.
With a combined 20 years of in-house corporate and targeted consulting experience, Michelle services large corporations as well as small businesses and individuals in all aspects of human resources and career management. As a consultant, she has had the opportunity to work in a wide range of industries including advertising, publishing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, financial services, E-commerce and much more.
Certifications/Training
Michelle is an internationally recognized, award winning résumé writer and a member of several prestigious career and résumé writing organizations. The resources and support afforded by being a member if this industry/community is plentiful and allow her clients to reap the benefits of these affiliations. Résumés created at Riklan Resumes are unique, tailored for each individual client and receive the individualized attention that such a service deserves.
As a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) and Certified Employment Interview Consultant (CEIC), Michelle has written hundreds of résumés and coached clients through all phases of the job search. Her résumés get results!
Michelle’s training as a DISC administrator and Myers-Briggs assessment administrator is a benefit to her clients to gain insight into a person’s behavioral style, which impacts a client’s chosen career path. She works with her clients to identify specific talents, capitalize on a client’s talents and his/her potential and continuing value to an organization and offers tools to improve interpersonal skills and interviewing performance.
Memberships
Michelle is a proud member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), Professional Association of Résumé Writers/Career Coaches (PARW/CC), The National Résumé Writers’ Association (NRWA) and Career Directors International (CDI).
Self Improvement OnLine
Michelle is also a co-founder of Self Improvement Online, Inc. a privately held, New Jersey-based Internet company. The company’s mission is to provide informative, quality self improvement and natural health information to help people improve their lives with information ranging from goal setting and stress management to natural health and alternative medicine. The network is composed of four websites, SelfGrowth.com, NaturalHealthWeb.com, SelfImprovementNewsletters.com and NaturalHealthNewsletters.com. Self Improvement Online’s websites receive over 1,200,000 unique visitors a month and e-mail Newsletters or e-zines go to over 950,000 weekly subscribers. The websites and newsletters are read in over 100 different countries, with the largest groups of readers and visitors coming from the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand.