The “Graying” of the Glass Ceiling

According to Fortune Magazine (Have you Outgrown your Job?), Generation X (born 1965 to 1980) is trapped. As the smallest generation since the great depression (50 million), their progress in climbing the corporate ladder is being blocked by the baby boomers; the 77 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964.

If we turn back the clock to 1996 there were 64 million U.S. workers aged 30 to 39 and 43 million aged 40 to 59. Now the situation has reversed. Currently there are only 40 million and 69 million, respectively.

Now while many boomers over fifty were tossed out the door, in today’s leaner companies, executive jobs are fewer, and boomers who have hung on to them are in no hurry to let go. In fact, a survey of 2,000 senior-level mangers at global companies found that 44% plan to keep working past the age of 64 (Korn/Ferry). Many Generation Xer’s are being blocked from promotions even though they’re experienced, qualified and performing at high levels.

Take the legal profession: In 1998, associates took an average of 7 years to make partner, now it’s almost 10 years!

What can you do if you’re in this bind? Here are six ways to jump-start your career (whether you’re a Gen Xer or not):

• Look for Growth. The Gray Ceiling is harder to bypass in slow-growing industries. If you want a bigger job, think about jumping to an industry that’s creating lots of them.
• Go Abroad. Whether you stay with your current employer or look elsewhere, familiarity with foreign markets is a must now for anyone who wants to move up.
• Downsize. Sometimes to move up you need to move down – to a smaller company. They tend to have less rigid hierarchies than big firms do and care less (if at all) about seniority.
• Get a mentor. You need someone who will fight for you. Someone higher up who’s willing to coach you on the political subtleties can be an indispensable ally.
• Find a mess to fix. Being willing to tackle the thorniest problem – preferably the one that’s keeping your boss up at night is one of the fastest ways to become visible and get promoted.
• Run your own show. It takes a strong stomach to start a company, but if nothing else, being the boss will oblige you to pick up new skills, think strategically, and learn to deal creatively with setbacks; all invaluable assets no matter where you end up.