Running Head: EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Employment Opportunities Research Paper Kimberly Ada Northern Marianas College

Authors Note This paper was prepared for English 101, Section 07, taught by Dr. Kimberly Bunts-Anderson.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Abstract There are four generations in the workforce as of today. Each generation has their set of strengths and qualities which could lead to a successful workforce environment. Older individuals tend to be hired because of their knowledge, capabilities, and experience. However, businesses in Saipan, specifically in the food industry, tend to hire younger workers. This decision is made because younger workers are more productive and enthusiastic. Most

businesses in the food industry prefers to not hire any individuals with a criminal record as well. This certain action is only done due to the risk of the public or employees safety, and most importantly, the risk of the business itself.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Introduction

As of today, people of different ages are more likely to be seen working together than the earlier century. Four generations of employees now make up the work force -- Matures (born before 1946), Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1977), and Gen Yers or Millennials (born between 1978 and 2000) (Deal, J. 2010). Some might find it difficult working with different age groups, but it is seemingly better with the fact that each individual of the four generations have a unique personality among with a unique approach in life. People are shaped by their life experiences from what generation theyve been born in. Trusting individuals of each generation could be difficult, however giving each the opportunity wouldnt hurt. Everyone has their set of strengths and qualities which could lead to a successful workforce environment. Background Older workers have an amount of experience plus the ability to do team work, while the younger workers are most likely unexperienced. Employers seek those who are experienced and have the knowledge in the workforce experience which makes it difficult for the younger generation to find a job. Having all generations work together would be a quite open minded risk, but could also be very rewarding knowing that all ideas and knowledge could be shared amongst each other to be successful. Many people struggle trying to get accepted into certain jobs. Those with a criminal record have a much harder time applying for a job. In most applications, there is always a question that identifies whether the applicant may have been convicted of a crime or felony in the past or not. Employers tend to not look past hiring ex-convicts given the possible damage

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

that may occur within a business. Only a few employers give them a chance to work. Given the chance to work, ex-convicts are most likely grateful and are more motivated to keeping their job. Literature Review Employers seek those who are experienced and have the knowledge in the workforce experience. The younger generation tend to have a hard time finding jobs nowadays. Obviously, older people are the ones with those factors. However, there is debate on how to either split the workforce, or open new jobs for the younger generation. Employers also tend to intimidate the younger generation, assuming they wouldnt take their work seriously and just lose all their money paying them to work. In most cases, thats not true. The younger generation are working hard to fulfil their dreams and have the energy to be more productive and enthusiastic within the workforce. Some employers are being open minded and having their older employees train their younger co-workers for the sake of the long run of their company. When applying for a job, a question often asked is have you ever been convicted of a crime or felony? In most cases, employers do not seek to hire any individual with a criminal record. However, hiring a convicted criminal has many disadvantages, but advantages as well. A criminal record is not what employers are looking for when hiring new employees (Lockhart, J. para.1). Employers usually look at the negative effects of hiring any convicted criminal without taking a look at the positive possibilities. This certain action is only done due to the risk of the public or employees safety, and most importantly, the risk of the business itself. Hiring a convicted criminal has certain advantages an employer might not even realize. Those who have been to jail and eventually released are struggling to find a job. Once they are finally employed, they do their best to keep their job given the chance. They are rather grateful and value their job and might even be a long term employee (Lockhart, J. para.6). Employers

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES who hire ex-convicts should also be aware that the certain individual who has been in jail are

most likely disciplined. They might even turn out to be more respectful and responsible given the realization of their wrong-doing and not wanting to go back to serving time in jail. Research Questions The student researcher primarily proposed the question are businesses in Saipan more willing to hire younger adults and train them rather than hiring an older adult with experience nowadays? A secondary question proposed to expand research was are businesses in Saipan willing to hire people with prior convictions or do they tend to not give them a chance at all? Methodology The research methods performed were the distribution of pilot surveys to an English 10107 college class. Another survey was distributed to other college English classes such as English 101-08 and English 202. All surveys were given to college students at Northern Marianas College. Personal interviews were then pursued by the student researcher. The businesses interviewed were Tony Romas and Winchells here on Saipan. Findings/Analysis The pilot surveys and surveys the student researcher distributed resulted that younger employees here on Saipan tend to struggle finding a job. Older workers are getting the spots in most job occupations around the island. Results also said that convicted criminals are usually given the chance to work. However, the student researcher focused on food industry and found that businesses wouldnt hire ex-convicts. During an interview, Atsushi Aoki, manager of Tony Romas, said that their business tends to hire younger employees who are U.S citizen. This action was done so that the company wouldnt have to worry about contracts. Hiring younger employees also gives them the

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

opportunity to experience working. Another interview, Adelaida Ignacio, manager of Winchells, said the opposite. She would rather hire older employees because it takes time and money to train younger employees. Younger employees tend to screw up and have no knowledge on how to handle situations or customers when things go wrong. Discussion Businesses such as restaurants have different sets of employees and each establish a different environment. Some tend to be filled with young adults, others being older adults, and the rest being mixed with both. Customer service between a young adult and an older adult are seemingly different. A younger adult, being fresh out of high school working at a restaurant, will give a hint that theyre inexperienced but also show a bit of confidence. Most young adults that work tend be really cautious in what theyre doing, making sure they dont do anything wrong but only try to do whats right. They seem to have more energy as well, by working really fast in getting peoples orders, setting up tables, cleaning, washing dirty dishes, etc. As for older adults being further experienced, serving customers could be an easy task. They would know how to approach customers and handle different diversities politely. However, washing dirty dishes and cleaning tend to be a burden. Theyre just as cautious to what they do as younger adults. On the other hand, older adults have much more confidence in what they do. Older people tend to be more mature, so for example an incident occurs between customers, they would most likely know how to stay calm and handle the situation. Other businesses that tend to hire different sets of age groups have a mixed vibe. At some point work will be done much faster than a certain age group employment. Having young and old adults mixed together could be a good factor, because then the older ones could be a role model. Younger adults tend be inexperienced and confused and most of the time, they dont seek

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES for help from their supervisors because theyre afraid to do so. Unlike having older adults as coworkers, they could always ask them for help, tips, or guidance. Conclusion

There are many debates with the young workers vs. the older workers in the employment field of business. The older generation are seemingly clogging up the work system and not giving way to the younger generation in the workforce. However, it is debatable because older workers have their own needs to fulfil. The employment opportunities both vary between the young and old though, having the young assumed to not have enough knowledge for certain jobs, and the old being too weak but with an amount of experience for a company to be kept going. Having all generations work together would be an open minded risk which could also be very rewarding with the fact that all ideas and knowledge could be shared amongst each other to be successful. In most applications, there is always a question that identifies whether the applicant may have been convicted of a crime or felony in the past or not. There are many disadvantages and advantages to hiring a criminal. Hiring convicted criminals may prevent future criminal activity within the island. Depending on what they have been arrested for, the jobs available tends to vary. In some cases, employers may reject an application when the person applying stated they have been convicted of a crime in the past. Other times, they look past it and give the certain individual a chance. Though it is a huge risk to hire an ex-convict, given the trust that may or may not benefit any sort of business. Businesses have their own reason to hire differently. One could be that their goal is to just give jobs and experience for young adults. Somehow businesses filled with young people tend to attract more customers, possibly caused by the enthusiasm and energy young adults offer.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Another could be hiring older adults would be less stressful knowing they are more mature and experienced. While hiring different age groups is done probably because older adults could be there to guide the young adults and help each other throughout the work that needs to be done.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES References Aoki, A. (2013, December 2). Personal interview.

Bost Seaton, C. H., & Anthony, D. N. (2012, June 6). To Inquire, or Not to Inquire - The Risks of Asking Job Applicants About Prior Arrests and Convictions | Troutman Sanders LLP. Retrieved from http://www.troutmansanders.com/to-inquire-or-not-to-inquire--the-risks-ofasking-job-applicants-about-06-04-2012/ Fernandez, C. (2011, April 11). Why older employees are more productive than young colleagues | Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article1377891/Why-older-employees-productive-young-colleagues.html

Ignacio, A. (2008, November 25). Personal interview.

Lockhart, J. (2012, January 13). 4 Reasons Why Your Small Business Should Hire An Ex-Convict - Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/benefits-of-hiring-exconvicts-for-small-business-owners-2012-1 Pre-Employment Inquiries and Arrest & Conviction. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/practices/inquiries_arrest_conviction.cfm Schwappach, A. M. (2011, June 11). Looking for a job? Hope you don't have any prior convictions. Retrieved from http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=187291 Waldo, M. (2012, March 1). Login. Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/publications/hrmagazine/editorialcontent/2012/0312/pages/0312wald o.aspx