Want to Hire Generation Z Employees? Know Your Audience

By Team Skillconnect360 / January 6th, 2023 / 0 comments / genz, hiring, Recruitment,

Are you trying to recruit people aged up to their mid-20’s? They’re considered Generation (or Gen) Z, those currently aged 11 to 25, who are a critical workforce as more older workers start retiring in larger numbers. They will make up about 27% of US employees by 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Given many younger workers are attracted to high-tech, the figure for IT jobs may be higher.

If you want to hire Gen Z members, your workplace and culture must be attractive to them, or they will go elsewhere – maybe to your competitors. A younger workforce eager to learn could be a competitive advantage for your company.

Employee and Employer Well-Being

According to Smartrecruiters, 80% of job seekers, when researching potential employers, seek information about employee well-being. Compared to other age groups, Gen Z considers this very important. 

• The stigma of mental health issues isn’t nearly as strong as it is for older workers. More than half (55%) of Gen Z workers state they’ve been diagnosed with or treated for mental illness (nearly double the share (31%) of those 55 to 64) 
• The vast majority, or 83% of Gen Z employees, state well-being is just as important as their pay
• An even bigger share, 85%, report they’re more likely to stay in their job if their employer puts a greater focus on well-being

Promoting sustainable, sane ways of getting work done is good for everyone, not just Gen Z. It may also help you attract workers of all ages, from parents of young children to older workers who want to maintain their health by avoiding excessively stressful jobs.

Gen Z Seeks Diversity Because They Are So Diverse

You don’t need to sell the virtues of a diverse workforce to Gen Z. They’re America’s most diverse generation yet. More than half (52%) of Gen Z identify as non-Hispanic White, while 58% of the overall nation’s population fits that description.

Gen Z is more diverse than millennials (roughly ages 25-40, 61% non-Hispanic White) and Gen X (generally ages 41-56, 70%). A Gallup poll reported 15.9% of Gen Z self-identify as LGBT, compared to 9.1% of Millennials and 3.8% of Gen X.

Gen Z candidates want more than lip service regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. They’d like to see themselves represented in the workforce and those recruiting new employees. 

• Three-quarters of Gen Z job candidates stated they would reconsider working for an employer if they were unsatisfied with its diversity and inclusion efforts
• Interacting with a diverse set of people during the hiring process was considered important by 78% of Gen Z women and 60% of men

Companies that can create a sense of belonging for everyone, regardless of who they are, will be more competitive when seeking new employees.  

Gen Z Wants to Learn, Improve Their Skills, and Advance

Gen Z understands the value of learning and having better skills. Perhaps it’s the result of living during a time of record technological and workforce changes, when a skillset may be highly valuable one year and barely in demand the next.

If you want to attract and retain these job candidates, you must provide opportunities to learn and practice new skills or expertise (76% of Gen Z members polled stated that’s what they’re looking for in a job, compared to 55% of Millennials and 48% of Gen X). If you don’t provide these opportunities (as well as career mobility), there’s a good chance Gen Z members (and Millennials) will leave.

Take the Next Step. Contact Skill Connect 360 

If your organization has a position to fill, SkillConnect360 can help you find excellent candidates who will be a great fit for the job and your organization. Call us today at 212-507-9350 or fill out our contact form to start the conversation.