How Businesses Can Attract & Retain Gen Z Workers 

Is your business wondering how to attract, engage, and retain Gen Z talent? Here are 4 steps to discover how to receive and maintain the top Gen Z talent there is to offer:  

Generation Z consists of the population born between 1997 and 2012. This generation currently comprises 30% of the world’s population and is anticipated to account for 27% of the workforce by 2025. This group of people should be a valuable asset in the business world with their digital knowledge and tech-savvy nature. However, their expectations could be beyond what your business might be used to. They are more likely to request the latest technology, flexible working arrangements, more company perks, and higher salaries. The question is, how can a business team create a practical approach to retain these workers? 
 

1. Clearly state development opportunities: Generation Z values development opportunities as a high priority. They always look for ways to grow and expand their knowledge and skills. Giving them straightforward ways to increase their productivity and recognition for new business ideas and career opportunities makes your business more attractive to them. Gen Z is more likely to invest in the company and the employees when it is evident the firm invests back in them. Gen Z is quicker to leave for a different role or job when they start to feel like they are not developing personally and or professionally. It would be beneficial to have development opportunities like online learning, mentorship, or in-house training. 

2. Be mindful of time management: Gen Z is stricter with their personal time and has more restrictions on setting boundaries with work and personal time than people of the older generations. Since the pandemic, 53% of employees, including Gen Z employees, are more likely to prioritize mental health and well-being. Flexible hours and hybrid options might be worth considering because Gen Z feels the need for more control over their work-life balance. 

3. Invest in the latest technology: Generation Z does not know a world in which technology does not exist. It has been at their fingertips for as long as they have learned. This group of people has grown up with technology significantly impacting their personal and academic lives. Technology in learning has expanded greatly while they’ve been in school, so it is an expectation for the latest technology to be a significant part of their professional careers. Having updated technology ensures your employees can work efficiently and effectively. 

4. Revise job description: After research, it is found that around 53% of Generation Z have switched companies in the last two years. This conveys that businesses might not be doing an adequate job of meeting and accommodating the younger generations. A downside of growing up in a world filled with instant gratification is that Gen Z is quick to leave their current role when they are unsatisfied. They are also not the most confident when searching for a new position. It is essential to ensure your business’s job listings are labeled correctly. For instance, if you prioritize experience over skills, you could miss out on a potential high-quality Gen Z employee. 

Being aware of the expectations and skills of the generation coming up into the workforce is a vital part of the future of your business. Paying attention to patterns and meeting future employees’ needs is essential to finding your organization’s next leaders. Gen Z holds their companies and organizations accountable for guiding their careers, so it is crucial to understand the needs of the people stepping into the business world right now.