What was your life like when you were 18 or 20? This is what employers need to think about when they want to learn about Gen Z. The main difference between the generations is how they achieve their goals.
Millennials have been the focus of most employers for the last few years. Employers have been wondering how to handle a generation that is more educated and technology savvy than previous generations. Millennials have had very different priorities in the job search and have helped create a discussion about flexibility and a better work-life balance. They have also broken down traditional hierarchies and created more collaborative workplaces.
It is important to note that when discussing generation differences, every person is different. Because of the large age range that is often included within a generation, the lower end and higher end of the generation are often at different life stages. This article will discuss trends that have been identified within the generation. However, one’s generation is only one of many factors that influence how someone sees the world.
What Defines Generation Z?
Generations are defined by events rather than dates. Generation Z is categorized as those born between 1996 and 2009. These are birthdates that would have been too young to remember the terrorist attacks on 9-11 and therefore have only known the “War on Terror.”
Gen Z has been shaped by school shootings, terrorism, the Great Recession, and climate change. They have grown up seeing the devastation of these events and therefore are more inspired than previous generations to change the world.
In 2020, Generation Z made up approximately 36% of the workforce. The 10 characteristics discussed below will help employers to interact with this new generation.
The Characteristics of Generation Z
Generation Z Are Competitive
Generation Z grew up with competitive sports, school rankings, and online grading portals. They are used to immediate feedback which allows them to adjust and improve quickly. Because of this, Gen Z is very self-aware and like to analyze their performance through numbers. This generation is used to being pitted against each other and is driven by success.
Employers should provide structure to Gen Z and provide goals and challenges for them to meet. They should also incorporate regular feedback sessions and encourage supervisors to provide valuable, constructive feedback as Generation Z craves a chance to improve. However, they should also know this generation is vulnerable to burnout.
Gen Z Are Skeptical and Proud of Their Individuality
Much of a generation’s behaviors are influenced by their parents. Millennials are influenced by Baby Boomer parents who are idealistic. Gen Z is influenced by their Gen X parents who are individualists and cynical.
Generation Z Are Financially Motivated
Millennials wanted to be engaged and passionate about their jobs, they wanted to be valued and have a voice. Gen Z on the other hand, as cynics, do not see these changes as genuine changes and realize that a business’s main focus will always be profit. Because of this, they are financially motivated and are more likely to take a job they don’t enjoy if it pays better than one they would enjoy. To Generation Z, a job is a means to earn a living rather than a purpose.
Academics have suggested this financial motivation comes because of the Great Recession when Gen Z saw their parents lose huge chunks of their wealth. Perhaps it is also partially because of the rising costs of aged care and dwindling retirement funds meaning this generation will be financially on the hook for their parents more than any other generation.
Gen Z Are Entrepreneurs
They grew up with shows like Shark Tank and with Youtube, where they watched people make their fortune online. As a generation that grew up with technology and coding classes in school, many members of Gen Z aspire to own their own business.
Organizations will do well to encourage this creativity, and Gen Z workers will have better engagement if they are involved in projects and given ownership of tasks.
Generation Z Are Connected
Many companies wrongly assume that Generation Z prefers online communication like social media. While this generation has grown up with social media, Gen Z prefers face to face communication, especially when discussing things that matter. After all, they are cynics and very aware of advertising efforts.
Businesses who try to move communications online will not engage their Generation Z workforce as they are still humans and desire compassion and interest. Electronic devices are used by this generation as entertainment and quick messaging. Gen Z will always seek face to face communication as the preferred option.
Gen Z Needs Human Interaction
Businesses should ensure they retain the human elements of their business if they are to engage Gen Z. For example, in-person interviews are preferrable than online applications and team “pow-wows” are better than weekly bulletins. Appreciation and human-touch will help your Gen Z employees to feel like part of the team.
Let Your Generation Z Employees Work Independently
In response to the early millennial needs of working collaboratively, many offices have become open plan. However, studies show that complete open environments can make it hard to work because of the noise. Many younger millennial workers tend to work with headphones, if their duties allow, to shut out some of the noise and reduce interruptions. Generation Z will likely do the same thing.
A workplace should ideally allow room for collaboration and private work. Gen Z is more competitive and individualistic, so they much prefer to work alone. They note the tendency to spend too long talking about things rather than taking action if a project is too focused on collaboration.
Gen Z Is Diverse
Generation Z has grown up in an environment where diversity is the norm. They grew up with a black president, with legal gay marriage, with working mums, and gender and sexual fluidity. For Gen Z, they focus on a person’s personality and competence rather than any protected characteristics.
Generation Z Love Change
Previous generations have been change-resistant, but Gen Z embraces change and try to shape it where possible. This generation is politically-informed and active, lobbying for gun control in the wake of mass-shootings and calling out a lack of action on climate change.
Generation Z harnesses social media to provide independent views on world events and share their messages. Because of this, they have graduated with excellent critical-thinking and debate skills.
Gen Z Demand a Voice
As a socially aware generation, the most important thing for Gen Z is having a voice. They want to contribute and lead. They are incredibly creative and motivated to take action on projects. Businesses should embrace their innovation and insights if they want to succeed.