Amidst new Bumble matches, unhinged WhatsApp group chat texts, and notifications from my bank telling me my recent purchase of €15 at warung sunshine went through, a notification from Upwork made its rare appearance, promising me a stable income in the form of a job invitation.
I am not part of Gen Z but as a Millennial, I still get this. And I feel the same. There is this corporate dream that was sold to us by society and our parents. But it’s actually more a nightmare than a dream. That’s one of the reasons why I always ask everyone “What would you do if money wasn’t a thing?”. Rarely has anyone ever said that they would love to join the corporate world.
I can totally relate! I'm a millennial and I still work in a corporate environment, but I have bills to pay, so for now I will continue working. I have already reduced my work week to 4 days. It's frustrating that many corporate companies are also mandating people to work from the office making it even less attractive
I had considered switching to 4 days a week too so that I can dedicate one day a week to some personal projects. That didn't work out budget wise unfortunately. So I am with you - I am continuing to work in corporate for now but it's definitely not my be all, end all.
Yes, I understand. I don't have children and I'm single, so it was easier for me to adjust. One way to make extra income is by doing creative work on your day off. My one day off, which is Mondays, is dedicated to my creative work, but of course, it is different for different people.
I am SO proud of you for standing up for yourself! I'm a Millennial and it's hard for me not to people please, especially in a work setting...but I'm working on it! (Oh and I don't work for middle-aged white men anymore which definitely helps.) xo
Oh yesss people pleasing in a professional setting is a whole different level of pain and I think it’s something so many creative women are struggling with!! The good news is we really give less fucks the older we get haha ❤️
On the flip side as Gen X/ Milennial who owns an agency I find even staff I have treated with 10x the kindness and flexibility I received in my career still ask for more and it’s wearing. You sound brilliant and this guy sounds awful. Kudos to you for stepping away but I do feel there is a balance around work Gen z don’t get. I blame working remotely as no one gets to observe others in context. Not that I think going to an office everyday is a good idea but community and being able to learn by osmosis is valuable too. I am currently hiring if there are any interior obsessed social media whizzes out there.
I feel that. I’m not gen z, but recently withdrew from an interview process whereby homegirl rescheduled 4 times, including the morning of the interview and then didn’t even show up. And I thought to myself... why am I gonna let this person waste my time? Not to mention now I just don’t take the person or company seriously.
I think the thing you’re describing isn’t solely reserved for gen Zs tho; I think a lot of people either after participating in the corporate grind at some point in their life or not are just saying no thanks, or holding out for positions that are more aligned with who they are. I think the pandemonium had a lot to do with that, where people were, at times, forced to monetise their hobbies or passions and realised it was fun or more rewarding than whatever they were doing before.
I don’t think gen zs have some radical way of thinking, per se, but that they came into a job market which was almost entirely work from home or remote work and better work-life balance because of it. Now that’s what they’re used to seeing when it comes to the job market, so that’s what they’re asking for straight from the jump.
It might be weird for people who have spent years in HR pre-pandemic to be faced with young folks who aren’t kissing ass for a job these days or willing to walk away when things aren’t what they expect 😂😂😂
Omg, rescheduling four times and then not even showing up is wild!! I totally agree with what you're saying—I'm meeting so many people of all ages while traveling who quit their jobs because they were tired of the corporate grind, and now they’re doing something that brings in less money but so much more fulfillment! We love to see it <33
As an elder millennial I find this so foreign and so exciting! If only I’d had the guts and confidence to turn down work and be honest with clients / bosses in my 20s. I got there eventually 😄
Love this! I'm a millennial that used to climb the corporate ladder and now has two lazy jobs so I can work to live and not vice versa. I found one of my jobs actually through Upwork so this was refreshing! 😂
It's SO refreshing to hear someone else agree that Upwork is a piece of work. 🙃. Proud of you for living your life WITH boundaries. The last part regarding prestige struck a cord...as a millennial, I grew up with an idea of what my career should look like, changing my mindset around that has been a process.
Loved it miss sarah. I had a job that went sideways and had nothing to lose so at my exit interview I let it all rip. There was screaming and shouting and possibly some cuss words. He had a belly full of me and I had all of his simpering saccharine I could take.
When the meet was over we both calmed down and shook hands. We parted as men not cowards. I was fired but telling him my side of the problem that led to this encounter was rare and deeply satisfying.
I’d been fired before but that was almost the last time. Then I started my own business and discovered I was working for a mad man.
I’m sorry your job search is crap. Yes. Drop the loser app. False hope is worse than no hope.
Be yourself. You have sooo much to offer.
Never apologize for having kids. Anyone who things they are a hindrance is sooo wrong . Ifs for the kids we put up with the bosses crap when any sane person would have walked out the door.
Lord Jesus here is our friend miss sarah. She wants a good job and would like a good boss this time. Maybe she could get a boss who’s not a jerk.
Help her and me. We both could use a bit more money.
Thanks sir.
We ask you this in Jesus name.
Amen.
Love ur writing sarah. You’re like a party favor. Pull the string then run for cover.
This reminds me of a company that contacted me last year wanting me to interview for a marketing role - it became pretty clear they had laid off their entire marketing team to cut costs and were now expecting one person to come in and do the work of the whole team - on a freelance basis, no contact, no benefits, no job security - and somehow manage to paint it like it would be an honour and a privilege 🤣🫠 Love that you prioritised your own values and happiness first!
Love this! Work to live not live to work, why on earth would anyone live to work if they can possibly avoid it. The immense self satisfaction of prioritising your own values over settling for that job, congratulations!
I love this post so much! It’s such a universal experience and reading about it in a humorous and real way feels like a breath of fresh air so thank you 🤗 I hope you find your lazy girl job soon!
This is everything I wanted to achieve with this post, to make those who go through the same shit show feel a bit better hehe thank you for reading, Ella! <33
I am not part of Gen Z but as a Millennial, I still get this. And I feel the same. There is this corporate dream that was sold to us by society and our parents. But it’s actually more a nightmare than a dream. That’s one of the reasons why I always ask everyone “What would you do if money wasn’t a thing?”. Rarely has anyone ever said that they would love to join the corporate world.
I can totally relate! I'm a millennial and I still work in a corporate environment, but I have bills to pay, so for now I will continue working. I have already reduced my work week to 4 days. It's frustrating that many corporate companies are also mandating people to work from the office making it even less attractive
I had considered switching to 4 days a week too so that I can dedicate one day a week to some personal projects. That didn't work out budget wise unfortunately. So I am with you - I am continuing to work in corporate for now but it's definitely not my be all, end all.
Yes, I understand. I don't have children and I'm single, so it was easier for me to adjust. One way to make extra income is by doing creative work on your day off. My one day off, which is Mondays, is dedicated to my creative work, but of course, it is different for different people.
I am SO proud of you for standing up for yourself! I'm a Millennial and it's hard for me not to people please, especially in a work setting...but I'm working on it! (Oh and I don't work for middle-aged white men anymore which definitely helps.) xo
Oh yesss people pleasing in a professional setting is a whole different level of pain and I think it’s something so many creative women are struggling with!! The good news is we really give less fucks the older we get haha ❤️
On the flip side as Gen X/ Milennial who owns an agency I find even staff I have treated with 10x the kindness and flexibility I received in my career still ask for more and it’s wearing. You sound brilliant and this guy sounds awful. Kudos to you for stepping away but I do feel there is a balance around work Gen z don’t get. I blame working remotely as no one gets to observe others in context. Not that I think going to an office everyday is a good idea but community and being able to learn by osmosis is valuable too. I am currently hiring if there are any interior obsessed social media whizzes out there.
I can agree with this...I'm remote now and there are days I miss working in an office. It can be important at times - for various reasons.
I feel that. I’m not gen z, but recently withdrew from an interview process whereby homegirl rescheduled 4 times, including the morning of the interview and then didn’t even show up. And I thought to myself... why am I gonna let this person waste my time? Not to mention now I just don’t take the person or company seriously.
I think the thing you’re describing isn’t solely reserved for gen Zs tho; I think a lot of people either after participating in the corporate grind at some point in their life or not are just saying no thanks, or holding out for positions that are more aligned with who they are. I think the pandemonium had a lot to do with that, where people were, at times, forced to monetise their hobbies or passions and realised it was fun or more rewarding than whatever they were doing before.
I don’t think gen zs have some radical way of thinking, per se, but that they came into a job market which was almost entirely work from home or remote work and better work-life balance because of it. Now that’s what they’re used to seeing when it comes to the job market, so that’s what they’re asking for straight from the jump.
It might be weird for people who have spent years in HR pre-pandemic to be faced with young folks who aren’t kissing ass for a job these days or willing to walk away when things aren’t what they expect 😂😂😂
Omg, rescheduling four times and then not even showing up is wild!! I totally agree with what you're saying—I'm meeting so many people of all ages while traveling who quit their jobs because they were tired of the corporate grind, and now they’re doing something that brings in less money but so much more fulfillment! We love to see it <33
As an elder millennial I find this so foreign and so exciting! If only I’d had the guts and confidence to turn down work and be honest with clients / bosses in my 20s. I got there eventually 😄
What matters is that you got there! Happy for you! ❤️
I just flowed through this article like butter.
very much enjoy your "as spoken" writing style.
as a "young" millenial I'll in with you GenZ's on the fact that I ain't gonna live for work...
and so far that has worked out ok
Aww thank you so much for reading!! <3 happy you can relate!
Love this! I'm a millennial that used to climb the corporate ladder and now has two lazy jobs so I can work to live and not vice versa. I found one of my jobs actually through Upwork so this was refreshing! 😂
Omg wait you actually found a job through upwork??!! How does one find such treasure? 😭
I know I was shocked! I think it has more to do with my field (I work in non-profit fundraising)
It's SO refreshing to hear someone else agree that Upwork is a piece of work. 🙃. Proud of you for living your life WITH boundaries. The last part regarding prestige struck a cord...as a millennial, I grew up with an idea of what my career should look like, changing my mindset around that has been a process.
The Strong Save Themselves, the Saints Save Others
——The Shawshank Redemption
Loved it miss sarah. I had a job that went sideways and had nothing to lose so at my exit interview I let it all rip. There was screaming and shouting and possibly some cuss words. He had a belly full of me and I had all of his simpering saccharine I could take.
When the meet was over we both calmed down and shook hands. We parted as men not cowards. I was fired but telling him my side of the problem that led to this encounter was rare and deeply satisfying.
I’d been fired before but that was almost the last time. Then I started my own business and discovered I was working for a mad man.
I’m sorry your job search is crap. Yes. Drop the loser app. False hope is worse than no hope.
Be yourself. You have sooo much to offer.
Never apologize for having kids. Anyone who things they are a hindrance is sooo wrong . Ifs for the kids we put up with the bosses crap when any sane person would have walked out the door.
Lord Jesus here is our friend miss sarah. She wants a good job and would like a good boss this time. Maybe she could get a boss who’s not a jerk.
Help her and me. We both could use a bit more money.
Thanks sir.
We ask you this in Jesus name.
Amen.
Love ur writing sarah. You’re like a party favor. Pull the string then run for cover.
Great article about finding and choosing the right job for yourself.
Haha love it! You did well to put him back to his shit whole place :)
thank you!! <3
This reminds me of a company that contacted me last year wanting me to interview for a marketing role - it became pretty clear they had laid off their entire marketing team to cut costs and were now expecting one person to come in and do the work of the whole team - on a freelance basis, no contact, no benefits, no job security - and somehow manage to paint it like it would be an honour and a privilege 🤣🫠 Love that you prioritised your own values and happiness first!
Omgggg I swear this is so common these days, it's ridiculous!! Glad you saw through it and are now killing it on Substack! <33
Love this! Work to live not live to work, why on earth would anyone live to work if they can possibly avoid it. The immense self satisfaction of prioritising your own values over settling for that job, congratulations!
Yasss you get it <33
I love this post so much! It’s such a universal experience and reading about it in a humorous and real way feels like a breath of fresh air so thank you 🤗 I hope you find your lazy girl job soon!
This is everything I wanted to achieve with this post, to make those who go through the same shit show feel a bit better hehe thank you for reading, Ella! <33
Man I love Gen Z 🤗
❤️❤️