Understanding the Corporate Gen Z – the Newest Entrants into the Workforce

Gen Z is the generation that comes after the millennials. They were born between 1997 to the mid 2010s and have recently entered the job market. For all who come before them, it is important to understand how to work with a generation that has grown up very different than generations before them. For one, they have never experienced a world without the internet.

With up to 4 generations currently in the workforce, it’s important to understand the most recent entrants since they, along with millennials, will make up a majority of the workforce very soon. To begin, here are some insights into what the typical Gen Z wants. More so, the corporate Gen Z.

98% of respondents state that video conferencing helps with relationship-building inside and outside the company according to an article by Lifesize in September 2019.

*Source: Randstad Employer Brand Research 2019 Global Report

Who is Gen Z?

Understanding Generation Z is pertinent to being able to work with them considering their learning and working style is very different than those before them. Being born after the onset of the digital era, Gen Z has grown up with non-traditional education, immersive learning and smart technology. And while they are well-educated and have considerable exposure and drive, they have much less corporate inclination. They also usually prefer flexibility in their work style and appreciate being able to explore multiple career paths. This will make them appreciate and find kinship with workplaces that function with these virtues in mind.

True multi-taskers

On average, Gen Z switches between at least 5 digital platforms to consume content. This fleeting focus has made them imagery-focused with a strong visual sense. They are accustomed to consuming short-form, quick visual content. This abundance of screen time has also made them inquisitive and they seek out information naturally. They have always had to find things out for themselves, making them very resourceful digitally.

Collaborators

Because of the alternative learning methods Gen Z experienced, they are very inclined to work together with their peers. They are constantly challenging the traditional corporate hierarchy since this is quite opposite to the way they prefer to work. And although they are a very tech-focused generation, in that they were born into the tech world where most of life exists on a screen, they are still very connected with humans and need to make human bonds alongside technology.

Work-life balance

A work-life balance is nothing to take lightly when it comes to the corporate Gen Z. With increased awareness of mental health, the Gen Z population is more attuned to their overall health and different aspects of life. They have also seen from the experiences of their parents and other older family members, the stress, exhaustion, and struggle in mindless work. This is important to consider while hiring Gen Z employees to make sure they don’t burn out or lose morale.

Born entrepreneurs

A number of the Gen Z population are expected to be entrepreneurs. This is partly because they are very engaged with everything they do, which means they must enjoy and love their job in order to do it well. They are driven by passion. This comes with a whole different mindset than other young professionals. They are drawn toward the gig economy as their primary choice. This is not to say that they will not take up regular corporate jobs, but that they are more inclined to an entrepreneurial work style. But whether or not they are employed, they are likely to take up some gig-style work.

In order to employ and, further, retain the corporate Gen Z or Generation Z, senior employers need to incorporate innovative efforts to engage a population that is highly ambitious and also highly informed. Creating advantages for them is important and tuning in to their mindset is imperative.

FAQs

Q. What makes Gen Zers true multi-taskers?

A. The Gen Z population, on an average, switches between a minimum of 5 digital platforms to consume content. This fleeting focus has made them imagery-focused with a strong visual sense. They are accustomed to consuming short-form, quick visual content. This abundance of screen time has also made them inquisitive and they seek out information naturally. They have always had to find things out for themselves, making them very resourceful digitally.

Q. Why is understanding the Gen Z way of working so important?

A. Gen Z have recently entered the job market and have grown up very different than generations before them. They have never experienced a world without the internet so their perceptions and perspectives are very different. And they will make up a majority of the workforce very soon so it’s important to understand their way of working.