What Gen Zers Are Really Looking for in Their First Job (Hint: It’s Not Just Good Pay)
According to the PEW Research Center, those born between 1997 and 2012 are considered members of Gen Z, a generation that grew up with technology always connected them.
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This generation is unique because they don’t know what it’s like to be disconnected, but they’ve faced plenty of isolation in recent years. According to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal, members of Gen Z entering the workforce are looking for social connections instead of just trying to find the best-paying gigs.
Here’s a closer look at what young, Gen Z professionals are looking for in their first job.
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What Gen Zers Want
The pandemic caused a lot of young people to lose daily contact with friends and family, making them feel isolated.
Even though it’s been a year since the pandemic officially ended, the Wall Street Journal’s report found that Gen Z find themselves more eager to make social connections than to see high numbers on their paychecks as they start looking for their first jobs.
The article cited the fact that almost six million people between the ages of 16 and 19 are working, which has put pressure on employers to review how they pitch jobs. With younger people looking for community, they’ve taken on summer jobs in restaurants, hotels and parks.
Employers are realizing that if they want to attract a younger staff, they’ll have to encourage socialization in the workplace instead of frowning upon it.
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What This Could Mean For the Workforce
GOBankingRates reached out to experts for their insights as to what this could mean for Gen Z and the workforce in general. Here’s what they said.
Traditional Management Styles May Not Work
Employers could struggle to retain Gen Z employees if they don’t change their management styles to adjust to the conditions of 2024.
According to research from Deloitte Digital, Gen Z ranked empathy as the second most important trait for a boss to have. With Gen Z valuing social interaction and empathy, employers have to adjust to this in order to recruit them.
As someone who actively recruits and employs Gen Zers, Scott Lieberman, the founder of Touchdown Money, explained, “Gen Z is looking for a positive work-life balance, which also plays into mental health.”
Employers Will Have To Offer More Than Pay
“When it comes to entering the workforce, Gen Z is both more hopeful and more discerning than generations prior,” said Cheyenne Hunt, a TikTok influencer and attorney as well as a Gen Z consultant and policy advocate.
“We’re incredibly motivated by the causes we care about, so finding a job that speaks to the moral and ethical issues of our time is something that tends to matter.”
While the pay may have been a deciding factor in the past, these days, employees entering the workforce are prioritizing social connections and their mental health when looking for their first job. Employers must accept that staff will be looking for more than just pay as they seek to find roles that will leave them fulfilled.
“Many Gen Z struggle to find a job simply because they don’t like the environment,” said Lieberman. “Pay just isn’t all that important anymore.”
Hunt elaborated, “We [Gen Zers] are very motivated by the potential to make a difference, and even routine corporate jobs that have elements of giving back to the community can appeal to us in this way.”
Employers Will Have To Invest in Mentorship Programs
Hunt also explained how many Gen Zers had their formative years of schooling and interning during a pandemic.
“An unforeseen consequence was a massive drop in mentorship for young people looking to blaze a new trail in their chosen career path,” she added.
Younger members of Gen Z may have missed out on mentorship and networking opportunities as they were isolated during pivotal times. As they look for their first jobs now, they don’t want to feel like they’re going at it alone.
Hunt continued, “Many of us are looking for friendly workplaces where we see an opportunity to be mentored and to receive on-the-job training that will take us beyond a single role in the company.”
Employers May Have To Increase Flexibility
There’s a belief that younger people won’t be eager to accept the first entry-level job that comes their way as they value freedom and social interactions.
“Many of us are looking for freedom, flexibility and liberty,” shared Hunt. “Employers are now competing with the gig economy, which offers workers the ability to control their own schedules, centering their lives around their families.”
As employers seek out Gen Z members for roles, they can’t ignore the importance of flexible working hours and environments — strict hours and lack of control could deter potential Gen Z employees.
Hunt said, “For entry-level jobs to be appealing to many generations, they’re looking for something that outweighs the kind of freedom they could find elsewhere.”
Employers Will Have To Provide a Collaborative Work Environment
“Gen Z has grown up in a world with lots of connections, so they want to work in places that encourage teamwork and collaboration between departments,” added Stephen Greet, the CEO and co-founder of BeamJobs.
“Because of this preference, office spaces and work processes will probably have to be reorganized, which could make it more expensive for businesses to run.”
Employers looking to hire new staff should review the workspace’s structure before hiring, as Gen Z won’t be enthusiastic about being isolated in a cubicle.
Greet continued, “It’s possible that open-plan offices, collaborative software and activities that help people work together will become more common.”
Companies Will Have To Focus on Social Impact and Purpose
Greet mentioned that members of Gen Z want to feel like their work matters, so they seek employers with strong Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and clear missions that match their values.
“Companies might change how they spend their money because of this, moving money from normal areas like salaries and bonuses to projects that have a positive impact on society,” explained Greet.
“It’s possible that this focus on purpose will lead to more sustainable business practices and a workforce that is happier and more engaged, even if they aren’t paid the most.”
He noted that this would affect more than pay rates, as companies would also have to invest more money into CSR projects and clarify their goals.
It’s clear that Gen Z is expecting more than just money when they look for their first job, and employers must plan accordingly if they want to attract high-quality, new talent.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What Gen Zers Are Really Looking for in Their First Job (Hint: It’s Not Just Good Pay)