Kate Benson

Founding Managing Director

Martens & Heads!

What are the key factors to success? Malcom Gladwell would say that when you’re born has something to do with it, as well as practice and, of course, a bit of luck. Now let’s look at those people who were born between 1985-1988. They have something notable in common. Many have been born into wealth, many into poverty; many will be educated, many won’t have had the opportunity; many will have encouraging, loving parents, many, sadly, do not.

One thing this generation has in common though, is that at the time they were graduating from college, they entered the market during years in which it was nearly impossible to find a job – a job that if they had born five years earlier, they would have been a clear candidate for.

Throughout our history the American economy has had its ebbs, flows, transformations and booms. While you may be too young or too old to have taken advantage of particular movements, there are always opportunities for redemption, and those who work hard enough, have particular mindsets and, of course, the potential, can succeed.

Competition Among Youth is Profound

More than ever, this means that competition among our youth is extreme. If they didn’t fight for jobs upon graduation, then years, experience and most valuably time, could be lost from their resume. For probably the first time in US history, the younger you are, and closer to having graduated college, the harder it is to find a job. For this reason, more than ever nepotism plays a role in the job hunt. But what if you don’t have famous parents, or connections to the industry you wish to enter? Kids today need more than aggressiveness and perseverance, they need to be a little crafty and develop a new roadmap, with a few extra stops, to get to where they eventually want to go.

I realize this sounds distressing for those who are either starting out in the job market, or for any of us who have children about to enter it. But with every misfortune, comes a chance for opportunity. Six-figure jobs are no longer easy to come by, but there is something extremely respectable and admirable about actually having to work your way up from the bottom. Many of our youth have become quite entitled, and disillusioned, and perhaps that’s our fault as helicopter parents.

No Clear Formula for Success

There is no clear formula for what your resume needs. But one thing needs to jump out – that you have the drive and determination to make it, even in a recession. Every opportunity you have, you must work hard. Education is undeniably valuable, but so is experience – this shouldn’t be underestimated. Every chance you have to speak to someone, to network, to ask questions – do it. This includes purely informational interviews. Don’t dismiss them because they won’t allow the instant gratification of a job. Even if the company tells you that no positions are available, ask if you can speak to someone anyway just to get a better idea of their company. Because somewhere down the road, there will be a job opening, and if you keep in touch, they’ll remember you.

They key factors to success, and building your resume, have many of the same components as they always have: hard work, resolve and character. Now you just need an extra helping.