Generational Divides And Attracting Gen Z Talent To Your Business In 2022

Upstack
4 min readNov 1, 2022

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Gen Z is entering the workforce and before long will become one of the largest generations in the workforce. This is an enormous opportunity for businesses to attract a new talent pool and hire employees who are tech-savvy, entrepreneurial, and driven by purpose. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to effectively work with Generation Z employees to create a mutually beneficial relationship that benefits you as their employer and them as your employee.

Generational divides between older generations of workers and younger generations of workers have been well documented over the years; so, we’ve compiled some insights into what it means for a business owner when hiring from GenZers, including what motivates them.

Who is Gen Zers, and how do they differ from other generations?

Gen Zers are the youngest generation in our society, and they have been born into a world that is vastly different from what their predecessors experienced. Millennials, on the other hand, grew up in an era of economic prosperity and technological advances. This has given Gen Z, who have never known a time without technology or abundance, unprecedented opportunities to learn about anything they want at any time of day with only their laptop as a company.

As well as being digital natives, Gen Zers are also diverse: by 2022, the majority will be non-white, and over half will speak more than one language at home. These differences can make it hard for employers to understand how best to recruit them — but understanding these changes can help you be prepared for what’s coming next!

What’s the best way to attract Gen Z Talent in 2022?

This generation is known for being tech-savvy and innovative. They also have high expectations for their jobs and employers. The best way to attract this talent is by showing them that your company embraces creativity as well as innovation with open arms.

Technologies like AI, VR, and machine learning will grow exponentially, so you want to make sure your employees are ready for these changes, or they’ll look elsewhere for work opportunities. Gen Z already understands the importance of the changing face of tech; referencing this in your company policies and job descriptions can help encourage Gen Zers to apply.

How can you create an environment that is attractive to this generation?

This generation enjoys collaboration but doesn’t need it all the time; they dislike micro-management and are highly ambitious and motivated by social change and inclusivity. Common themes that Gen Z wants from employers include:

  • Office space is more open.
  • Socializing events like happy hours.
  • Incorporating new technology into workspaces such as video chat meetings or cloud storage solutions to work remotely when needed.

Implementing flexible working arrangements and providing mentoring also feature highly on their list of desirables for future employers.

Why should your business care about attracting Gen Z Talent in 2022?

Generation Z is entering its 20s. They are the generation born after 1995 and have been called “the most entrepreneurial” ever by Forbes magazine. They are confident in who they are and what they want to do with their lives, which means that employers need to start attracting them now so that when they reach working age, these young people will see your company as a place where they can build a career.

Tips for Hiring, Retaining, and Promoting Gen Z Talent at your company?

One of the most effective ways is through developing a corporate culture that aligns with their values. The best way to do this is by ensuring your company is transparent in its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability efforts. Creating opportunities for growth within your organization will also help Gen Z employees feel like they are creating an impact with their work while also feeling fulfilled. Not only this but developing a transparent communication culture, where they feel they can express themselves and openly talk with managers, will help keep this generation happy and engaged.

In 2024, Gen Z will make up 50% of the population. That’s a huge number! As this generation earns more and spends more money, it becomes increasingly important to understand who they are and what motivates them to attract and retain their talent at your company.

You can do so by creating an environment where these young people feel comfortable working; for example, offer flexible work hours or allow employees time off flexibly during the day. Adopting this approach improves employees’ work/life balance and is highly desirable for this generation.

You may also want to consider implementing mentorship programs that help guide Gen Zers on career paths and offer competitive compensation packages with opportunities for growth within the company. Whatever you choose to implement, be sure that it aligns with your business goals first and foremost.

With Upstack, there’s nothing that can stop us when it comes to scaling your business.

Originally published at upstack.co by Joanna Blomfield.

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