Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials… and now Generation Z is here! Each new age group leaves the previous ones baffled. What are they like in the workplace? What are their goals and motivations? The gap between generations is not that big, but there are some key differences that mean the youngest generation always requires differential treatment.
What is Generation Z like?
Made up of people born between 1997 and 2012, Generation Z has grown up in direct contact with technology and the online environment. They are used to having easy access to all information and being in constant contact with people from all over the world, which makes them curious and critical. But at the same time, this excess of stimuli can lead to a certain impatience and concentration difficulties.
In general, they are very independent and self-confident people. All the learning possibilities offered by the Internet allow them to self-train in a wide variety of areas. They are people with a tendency towards entrepreneurship and with great sensitivity and creative capacity. On the other hand, this generation offers the lowest loyalty and commitment ratio. Due to their independence, their trust in companies is minimal.
Now that we know more about Generation Z, our Workee team is offering you 6 key points that will help you attract and retain these new profiles:
1. Use technology
As the number one and the most important point, use technology. The new generation uses mobile phones to stay connected through social networks, instant messaging and audio, but not to answer or make calls. It is important that the approach to young people is through the same means of communication that they usually use and that it does not involve an invasion of their privacy.
The best way to find and hire these young talents is through fast and easy-to-use apps. One of the most popular apps among Zoomers (‘Generation Z’) in Denmark is Workee, where you can filter talents according to your job requirements and have a chat with them in a matter of minutes.
2. Attract them with creative content
This tip goes hand in hand with the tip to use technology since the creative content you generate is displayed through digital media. Producing creative content like blogs, photos, videos, etc. and using social media to post it all is a great way to attract new employees and to effectively communicate any information that you want them to know.
3. Be inclusive
Generation Z is very aware of diversity and their work environment has to respect, value and consider the different perspectives, styles and needs of people, demonstrating diversity in all its aspects: personality, ethnicity, age, culture, disability and sexual orientation, among others.
Generation Z is less tolerant of authoritarian environments. They expect their ideas to be heard and respected, and they question everything from traditional gender roles to required university education.
4. Adapt the labor conditions to their needs
Flexible hours, the opportunity to work remotely, reduced working days… Work is not everything and Generation Z is very clear about it. They are redefining the way of working and for this reason it is essential that companies – as far as possible – adopt flexible hours and remote or hybrid work modalities.
5. Share their values
Young people around the world show a greater commitment to the environment, sustainability and the reconciliation of work and professional life, and they appreciate when the company for which they work is aware of all these concerns.
Companies must be coherent and credible, and to attract the attention of young candidates it is necessary for them to show these shared values. You can gain their trust by transparently communicating the company’s mission and demonstrating through actions its involvement in the future of people and the planet.
6. Give them more than just money
The new generations have taught companies that there are aspects that should be valued as much as or more than money.
We are talking about the emotional salary, made up of factors such as:
- Benefits that contribute to their professional and life quality (training programs, more vacation days, health insurance)
- Culture of respect
- Good working environment
- Freedom to share ideas without being criticized.
Attracting young talent is always a safe bet, and even more so in a job market that is constantly changing and reinventing itself. Due to their specialized and in-depth training, and their great enthusiasm for learning and developing, hiring Generation Z will be the best investment for the future. They will continue to reshape the world of work and your company cannot be left behind!
If you want to be on the same page as Gen Z, sign up at Workee.co or download the Workee job app on iOS and Android. Post your job in Denmark free of charge and get immediate access to +20,000 job-seekers.
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