( CareerBuilder.com ) -- There are essentially three generations of job seekers vying for jobs today : Baby Boomers , Generation X or Gen X , and Generation Y or Millennials . Because of this , job seekers are finding themselves competing with people of all different ages for the same job ; people that can bring different experiences and skill sets to the position . I asked career coaches , advisers and recruiters if there are any patterns in how job seekers from different generations go about the job search . Here are some that they noted : . Baby Boomers : Often show a high level of professionalism and excel in face-to-face interviews . `` Baby Boomers know that the job search is ultimately about relationships , and [ they ] tend to invest the time in the process of developing relationships , '' says Lynne Sarikas , executive director of the MBA Career Center at Northeastern University . `` They know the value of a handwritten thank-you note . '' Gen X : Tend to utilize both in-person and online communication effectively . `` When it comes to overall communication skills and working knowledge of technology , members of Generation X fall squarely between their 20-year-old and 50- to 60-year-old counterparts , '' says Maribeth Kuzmeski , author of `` The Connectors : How the World 's Most Successful Businesspeople Build Relationships and Win Clients for Life . '' `` They are used to online job searches , emailing résumés and following up via both email and handwritten notes . '' Millennials : Often adept at using all forms of social media in their job search . They tend to embrace all kinds of technology and use that technology to their advantage , including applying via their smartphone or tablet or following up via creative ways online . `` [ Job seekers ] over 50 years old may be used to looking for work in a newspaper , attending job fairs , dropping by a company to inquire about job leads and speaking to those in their network regarding job opportunities , '' says Lavie Margolin , career coach , speaker and author of `` Lion Cub Job Search : Practical Job Search Assistance for Practical Job Seekers . '' `` A younger generation would be more apt to look for jobs online and use social networks to reach out to people for help as opposed to speaking to people face-to-face or giving someone a call . '' So how do job seekers compete with those from other generations ? Perhaps it 's by learning from each other and applying a combination of new and tried-and-true job-search tactics . Here are some tips on how job seekers of all generations can be successful in their job hunt . Embrace both offline and online communication . To get the most out of a job search , try using both online and offline resources . Search for jobs on career websites as well as social networking sites such as Facebook , Twitter or LinkedIn . Consider building an online portfolio that houses your résumé along with examples of your work or previous successes , but do n't forget to bring hard copies to an interview , too . Also try meeting with a headhunter or recruiter who specializes in finding jobs in the field for which you 're applying . Networking works . `` Regardless of generation , the single most important thing you can do to support your job search is networking , '' Sarikas says . `` Identify alumni , former colleagues , friends of friends or family who work in the companies you are interested in as employers . Conduct informational interviews to learn about the company , the culture and the types of roles in your area of interest . Meet as many people as possible who can help support your efforts , and identify how you can help them as well . While you can use the Internet and other tools to identify resources , do your networking in person whenever possible . Have a real conversation . '' Execution matters . `` Execution matters — cover letters and résumés must be flawless ; no spelling or grammatical errors , '' Sarikas says . `` You should be well prepared for your interview . Research the company and the people you are meeting . Have questions prepared . Information is easily accessible , so there is no excuse for not being well prepared . '' The power of thank you . Follow up with both an email and a snail mail thank-you note . `` Write a handwritten thank-you note to each interviewer and show your enthusiasm for the job as well as your appreciation for their time . It makes them remember you in a positive way , '' Sarikas recommends . & copy CareerBuilder.com 2011 . All rights reserved . The information contained in this article may not be published , broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority .
Baby Boomers excel in face-to-face interviews while Gen X and Millennials are more adept in using online technology . Networking is important regardless of generation . Follow up with both an email and a snail mail thank you note .