This is the first generation that has not lived in a world without the Internet. It has never used a cassette, a walkman, a paper map or a floppy disk.
We grew up in a world where content and information were freely available and shared, and where one-click shopping was taken for granted.
Gen Z is dominating the world, and the market, as the most populous generation on Earth. And because of the radical differences from our predecessors, we’re about to completely transform the way everyone works.
1. We refuse to fit into boxes
We don’t need traditional job roles to fit our educational background; we prefer to expand our skills and change jobs until we find what feels right.
Gen-Zers are expected to change jobs up to 10 times between ages 18 and 34.
This makes it a lot harder for employers, who need to fundamentally change the way they attract, hire and develop talent. In turn this will change the culture for the entire workforce.
2. It’s not just about money, values matter (a lot)
Despite the Great Recession’s impact and decade-long recovery, personal development and alignment with a company’s values matter even more than financial security when making career decisions.
Our generation pays increasing attention to a company’s core values, ethics, impact and transparency. We look for commitments towards a more sustainable future, action against pressing societal challenges and world problems, like injustice and climate change. We also want a satisfying work-life balance, flexible hours and benefits.
Not only are companies demonstrating their commitment to social and environmental challenges, but they are also positioning themselves at the heart of their operations to attract and retain Gen Z employees and customers.
3. Inclusion and diversity front and centre
Diversity matters to us in many ways, as it is tied to our identity and motivation, and this is why we expect this understanding in their workplace as well. Gender, race, and ethnicity no longer fit into traditional boxes or checklists.
Employers are increasingly transforming their organisation’s culture and diversity practices to match our high standards.
Overall, our generation has different priorities and values. We want an employer who cares about our wellbeing and has high standards when it comes to transparency, impact and ethics. We expect greater personalisation to match our flexible approach.
Simply put: Gen Z requires a different mindset, and this is likely to transform the whole working world for the better.