Photo by Christine Roy on Unsplash
While no generation is a monolith, people who have grown up and come of age under similar global circumstances tend to share some things in common.
Gen Z is no different. When looking for job opportunities, Gen Zers — those currently under the age of 26 — will be attentive to things that may not have been prioritized by previous generations.
That's why organizations need to take certain steps to attract this dynamic group. Talent-development expert Chelsea Williams, whose national workforce and development company Reimagine Talent works closely with many Gen Z professionals and those who employ and manage them, shared six things companies need to prioritize in order to stand out to Gen Z job seekers.
Gen Zers tend to value companies that demonstrate real commitment to "social impact, doing good, and diversity, equity, and inclusion," Williams said, because they're the most diverse generation. They vote with their dollars, they follow organizations on social media to ensure that companies are doing more than paying lip service to philanthropy, and they want employers that do the same.
A company's efforts around building a diverse workforce, supporting employees from underrepresented groups once they're hired, and giving back should be detailed in job descriptions and discussed in interviews, Williams said. She added that companies should also actively provide scholarships and work-based learning opportunities to marginalized communities.
The current hiring market is a competitive one — and Gen Zers know they can take jobs in the gig economy to earn money if they feel prospective employers aren't prepared to pay them what they deserve.
"Behind the demand for higher salaries is more confidence in what the population believe they have to offer," Williams said. "Employers should be able to cautiously articulate what their companies have to offer beyond salaries, too."
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