What Gen Z Wants When It Comes to Work

Rachel Ludwig
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As one of the first generations to grow up with the internet, in a world drastically different than their parents and grandparents experienced, Gen Z has a unique perspective on work. They have a comfort and a dexterity with technology that is unparalleled and they will define what our working world looks like for years to come. 

Defined as people born between the late 90s and the early 2010s, many Gen Z workers are early in their careers or just entering the workforce. This means that for the majority of their working lives, they’ve been dealing with pandemic conditions, remote work, and the isolation that comes along with being a junior staff member, separated from their colleagues. They’ve also adapted and figured out ways to build their careers while facing these unique challenges and it’s important that their feedback and ideas are given equal weight and consideration. 

Flexibility
In the past few years, we’ve completely reimagined our way of working during a global pandemic and Gen Z has spent those years either learning or working remotely in some capacity. So, they are used to managing their own time and working independently to make sure a job gets done. Now, Gen Z is looking for jobs that give them some flexibility with their schedules, because they feel confident about their ability to perform independently. This doesn’t mean that every member of Gen Z wants a 100% remote job or dislikes coming into the office–some Gen Z employees prefer coming to the office. However, whether it’s remote, hybrid, or in-office, consider initiatives like “flex-days” to entice Gen Z hires. 

Opportunities for Learning
Learning initiatives are a huge draw for Gen Z candidates who are excited to learn and continue to grow their career. Whether it’s a tutorial stage of the job or webinars or certifications, Gen Z is attracted to positions that prioritize learning and development for new staff or junior employees. It shows a commitment to the employee as a whole and that the company is invested in an employee beyond the paycheck. 

Transparency
In a time of economic uncertainty and unprecedented inflation, Gen Z is looking for companies and positions that are transparent about pay. In the 50s or the 80s, there were a huge variety of jobs that could provide you with a living wage. Now, especially in metropolitan areas, where the cost of living is soaring, it’s risky to apply to jobs with an unknown salary. Although this isn’t a practice across all industries, many of today’s job listings say “competitive salary” or “no salary information”. Just as you wouldn’t test drive a car without knowing the price or look for a house without a budget, Gen Z wants to make informed decisions about their job search. Adding as much information about the position, instead of speaking about it in a vague way, such as the salary range, full benefits, work environment, etc. is a great way to give candidates an idea of of what it is like to work for your organization. 

These are just a few things that Gen Z looks out for on the job hunt that can help you make informed hiring decisions. While every employee or potential hire is different, it’s great to keep an eye to the future and continually evolve our workplaces to increase productivity, efficiency, and employee retention and happiness.

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