There are many opinions when it comes to Gen Z. Much like prior conversations about Millennials, organizations are looking to know more about the demographic that currently represents one-fifth of the population. Monster’s Gen Z Hiring Solutions outlined their characteristics and their employment preferences.
Tech Savvy
Born 1995 – 2010 and incredibly diverse, Gen Z were raised by independent Gen X parents who value education. As a result, they are likely to pursue education with fewer working during their teenage years. Only four in ten enter the workforce during high school.
Their comfort with technology as true digital natives helps them integrate into digital hiring platforms and video interviewing practices. This can also translate into an expectation that proficiency with technology should make it easier for them to work from anywhere.
Attracting Gen Z
Like their Boomer, Gen X and Millennial counterparts, Gen Z looks for a competitive salary and benefits package. Career advancement and job security are equally important and many look to settle with a company willing to invest in them. These qualities are important with 37% looking for career-advancement possibilities in the job posting and 30% looking for verbiage on career or leadership development opportunities.
This group also looks for benefits that stretch beyond the norm, prioritizing mental and physical health and diversity practices. Pinpointing new ways to cater to this group is becoming more important as Boomers edge closer toward retirement. By 2030, the youngest Boomers turn sixty-five and older Gen X will begin contemplating retirement. At that time, Gen Z will make up much of the workforce.
Monster’s report estimates more than eighty-five million jobs could go unfulfilled because of a lack of skilled employees. Currently, three in five organizations report having trouble filling middle-skill jobs, roles requiring more skills than a high school diploma and fewer skills than a four-year degree. Increasingly, even entry-level jobs require experience and technical skills. The tech sector also stands to lose $162 billion in revenue if it cannot fill high-skilled jobs.
With this looming, it’s important recruiters get up to speed with what Gen Z is looking for. Luckily, this is a group of workers who are willing to learn new skills and who are comfortable doing their own research, visiting YouTube and TikTok with their job search questions.