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The Boomer generation is the baby boomers after the Second World War. Today's 56- to 74-year-olds have the largest population of all generations. Nevertheless, there are hardly any clear study results on the attitude to life, values and ideals of the boomers. The study by the personnel service provider Robert Half characterises this generation as successful and liberal. According to the study, boomers also want to slow down. This is probably due to the fact that this generation is already on the threshold of retirement. The boomers have earned it - after all, they have largely made work the focus of their lives and coined the term "workaholic", among other things.

For the so-called Generation X, career advancement is the most important goal when looking for a job. At least that is the conclusion of a study by the personnel consultancy Robert Half. According to the survey, this generation of today's 40- to 55-year-olds is also characterised as ambitious, individualistic and ambitious. The members of Generation X are well educated and work in order to be able to afford a materially secure life. Unlike their predecessor generation, Generation X does not put work before other needs, but rather sees it as a means to an end.

Probably the most researched generation to date is that of the so-called Millennials. Generation Y, which is currently streaming onto the labour market and which makes very special demands on companies. Above all, work should make sense and offer variety. Generation Y places a lot of value on self-fulfilment, but is also a skilled team player who excels at networking not only offline but also in the virtual world.

The internet and dealing with it are part of everyday life for Generation Y, as they are the first digital natives, i.e. they were socialised by technological media in childhood. Millennials are masters of project work and often get involved in their own projects beyond the job. Work and private life are thus no longer strictly divided, but complement each other and increasingly merge. Nevertheless, Generation Y places a lot of value on free space for private life. According to the German Association for Personnel Management (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Personalführung e. V.), the concept of "work-life balance" is developing into the "work-life blend". Private matters should also be able to be dealt with during working hours, but at the same time people are also prepared to work in their free time if necessary.

Today's young people who will enter the labour market in the next few years belong to the so-called Generation Z. They are the generation that has grown up completely with digital technologies: Internet and smartphone are a natural part of their lives - at work and in their private lives. Unlike Generation Y, Generation Z differentiates more between work and private life. Firm boundaries and clear structures are once again desired. Taking the laptop home after work is not an option here. Self-realisation is no longer sought only in work, but above all in leisure time and social contacts. In these, there is no longer a demarcation between virtual and real, but the exchange with followers of the same media takes place without interruption. This is also reflected in the values of Generation Z: they have a great desire for free development, but are also aware of their uncertain future. They will not achieve the prosperity of their parents' generation, but they can develop unrestrained and in all directions. For many, this also leads to perplexity and trying out which paths might fit.

Because the generation is new and its intervention in the labour market is only beginning to be visible, no clear characteristics can yet be deduced.