There’s a new group entering the workforce—welcome Gen Z.
These fast-paced, multi-tasking individuals are sure to be making waves in the professional community. From recruiting tactics to performance expectations, here’s what you should know about getting your business ready for Generation Z workers.
Who is Gen Z?
Generation Z is loosely defined as the generation born between 1995 and 2010. They are shaped by their access to technology and exposure to challenging economic times. The resulting group carries its own distinct set of traits that can help to bolster your workplace.
The following tips will help ensure your organization is ready.
- Prioritize stability – While Millennials are defined by their relationship with technology and the rise of the internet, Gen Z’s most defining occurrence is the Great Recession. When the housing bubble burst, Gen Zs weren’t even teenagers. Many saw their parents adjusting to the new challenges and learned to do more with less. As a result, Gen Zs tend to be more conscientious of financial security than their previous counterparts. They will likely be attracted to positions that offer security and advancement opportunities as well as skill-building opportunities.
- Embrace flexibility – To Gen Z, multitasking comes second nature. Taking workloads from computers to tablets and smartphones, syncing apps, and staying connected are all part and parcel for this group. Attract Gen Z employees by embracing flexibility and promoting non-traditional working patterns.
- Prepare for a new resume standard – The traditional path through college to the workforce is changing. The price of higher education means that many Gen Z are skipping the college route all together. Thanks to this cost-benefit analysis, you can expect to see more people entering the workforce straight out of high school in favor of workplace programs that can offer them an equivalent education. This means you may need to adjust your expectations during recruiting. A college degree, or lack thereof, shouldn’t be a make or break qualification.
- Welcome hard work – Gen Z aren’t afraid of a little hard work. The same factors that contribute to their interest in stability means that this group has seen what success takes in this market and they are willing to go the distance. Don’t take this for granted though. Gen Z take intense pride in their work and expect recognition for their achievements.
- Rethink the static job – With the new education paradigm many Gen Z workers will be looking for opportunities to learn and grow within an organization. They will likely be attracted to jobs that can give them diversity of skills and opportunities. Many have entrepreneurial aspirations, and so they want to learn as much as they can from their workplace. Think about positions that can rotate through different departments, or design mentoring or shadowing opportunities to make the most of these talented young workers.
Gen Z is here, and since many are skipping college, they’re jumping right in. Let’s be ready for them.
