Whenever I speak to managers and supervisors about the Millennial Generation, one of the characteristics that I note members of this cohort share is a complete comfort with technology. I suspect most managers are already aware of this reality.  In fact, many complain that their newest employees, who have been “texting” for years, bring “texting’s” strange spellings and absence of grammar into the workplace.

 

Unfortunately, it would appear that an increasingly large number of job applicants are using text messaging lingo while they are still in the interview phase.  In a recent Wall Street Journal article, “Thx for the IView! I Wud ♥ to Work 4 U!!;)” Sarah Needleman writes about prospective employers who are quite literally horrified by the text messaging abbreviations and emoticons that so many new applicants use in their follow-up communications. (WSJ, 07/29/08, page D1.) 

 

How common is such usage?  According to the article, KMPG’s director of university relations and recruiting reports that approximately one out of every ten thank you e-mails sent to a firm hiring manager contains a smiley face, heart or other icon.  By in large the hiring managers don’t like these symbols.  KPMG, like many other employers, views the use of emoticons as unprofessional and not appropriate for the workplace.

 

Especially given the state of the current economy, Millennials would be well-served to drop the text-messaging lingo in all of their communications with their current and/or prospective Baby Boomer bosses.  Especially during the interview phase, it is best to communicate with some level of formality.  Land the job before you relax in your communications.  And even then, give a second thought to using text messaging lingo and emoticons at work.