Purpose – Focuses on the potential advantages and pitfalls of a multi-generational workforce. Design/methodology/approach – Focuses on the potential advantages and pitfalls of a multi-generational workforce. Findings – Argues that younger people are often more technologically “savvy” than older employees and more at ease with open communication but that older employees also have a wealth of experience they can pass on to their younger colleagues. Practical implications – Demonstrates how organizations can use communication technology itself to bring the generations together. Social implications – Highlights how demographic factors are changing the nature of the workforce and moving the emphasis towards life satisfaction rather than simply career success. Originality/value – Reveals how new technology can help to solve some of the problems that the technology itself creates.

The following observations have emerged from the author’s research experience involving the recruitment of focus group participants for a qualitative study on job search behaviors using technology. It is argued that Internet forums and message boards provide researchers with a robust approach to recruiting participants for qualitative study purposes. Advantages and characteristics of online communities are outlined to inform future practices based on the experience of engaging job-seekers who frequent a career advice board on the Internet. Challenges and limitations inherent to this methodology are also explored with techniques offered for maximizing the effectiveness of future recruitment. Use of Internet forums and message boards as objects of research versus as research tools is distinguished throughout. The paper contributes to a growing body of knowledge about harnessing the Internet to inform and support qualitative research.

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