Hiring Gen Z: 5 Trends You Can’t Ignore

As we say goodbye to the millennial era of employees, it’s time to welcome the newest wave of talent: Gen Z. Born roughly between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s, this cohort brings a fresh energy and outlook to the workplace, and therefore, requires a rejuvenated company management style. Employers must understand and embrace these changes to attract and retain top talent.

With this in mind, here are 5 factors that employers need to include within job specifications and remain committed to when hiring Gen Z grads:

Digital fluency

Gen Z has grown up in a world where technology is second nature. From childhood, they’ve been surrounded by smartphones, tablets and social media platforms and therefore, have the ability to navigate the digital landscape with ease. What’s more, they understand how technology can help them be more productive within their graduate job, and have the same expectations in the workplace.

Gone are the days when outdated systems and time-consuming manual processes were tolerated by employees. Now, this new generation demands to work for companies that are as dynamic as they are and digital tools are integrated into every aspect of their working day. These may include the likes of:

• Project management platforms
• Virtual collaboration tools
• CRM systems
• AI-drive analytics

Transparent communication

In the eyes of Gen Z, transparency and authenticity are guiding principles that shape their worldview and influence their decisions. Therefore, when it comes to choosing an employer, they want to align themselves with organisations that demonstrate sincerity in their values and practices. Therefore, employers who outline such aspects within their job specification should always follow through with their promises once the new employee has been onboarded. This may include a commitment to diversity and inclusion, community engagement and a respectful culture, to be true authentic values, rather than clever marketing ploys to seek out top talent.

What’s more, Gen Z candidates tend to appreciate honesty and openness from their employers to keep them in the loop, whether that be regarding new company policies, performance expectations or potential promotional opportunities.

Work-life balance

Gen Z faces plenty of stressors in their day-to-day lives, ranging from academic pressures to financial concerns to the pressures of social media and its reality. Knowing how these factors can take their toll on mental health, individuals are now choosing to prioritise self-care through getting a good work/life balance. As a result, these individuals are not about to sacrifice their wellbeing for the sake of a job and employers must put strategies in place to keep their workforce healthy and happy.

Employers can make small but extremely effective changes to prevent stress and anxiety including offering flexible work arrangements (such as remote working, or flexible hours to accommodate diverse needs). Plus, there may even be opportunities for team mental health days or team-building days to ease stress during extra busy periods.

Financial stability

With the cost-of-living crisis hitting the UK hard over the last few years, Gen Z is feeling the pinch more than ever. With house prices soaring and everyday expenses becoming more costly, financial stability is at the forefront of their minds. When considering employment opportunities, Gen Z prioritises employers that offer not just competitive salaries, but also comprehensive benefits packages, which include the likes of retirement plans, childcare support and paid time off.

Environmental responsibility

For Generation Z, making a difference in the community isn’t just a nice plus point to a job, it’s a deep belief. Typically, this generation is passionate about leaving a positive mark on the world and wants to work for employers who share that same sense of purpose.

Think about it from their perspective: they’ve grown up in a time of unprecedented global challenges, from climate change to social inequality. They’ve seen the impact that businesses can have, both positive and negative, and they’re determined to be part of the solution. That’s why social responsibility is such a huge deal for Gen Z- they’re eager to work for companies that actively work to make the world a better place, whether it be through philanthropy, sustainability initiatives, or ethical business practices. They want to feel proud of where they work, knowing that their efforts are contributing to something meaningful beyond just the bottom line.

Hire the best graduate talent today

Looking to fill graduate job vacancies in your organisation? Look no further than Inspiring Interns. Our team specialises in recruiting top graduates from leading UK universities, ensuring that you have access to the best talent the country has to offer.

But that’s not all—our innovative approach includes the creation ofvideo CVs, allowing you to get a firsthand glimpse of each candidate’s personality, skills, and potential fit within your team. With video CVs, you can go beyond the traditional paper CV and truly get to know the candidates before making any hiring decisions. So, get in touch with our friendly team today.