We live in an era in which labeling is an effective way of structuring reality. This is what is happening nowadays, for example, with the Generation Z or what has happened during the last few years with the Millennial. Technology has changed the way we understand the world so much that we need to resort to labels based on the time of birth to try to understand the concerns and values of each generation.
In the case of Generation Z, we are talking about all of those who are persons born between the year 2000 and 2010 (although other studies place the beginning of this generation in 1994). Many of them were born just after the economic bubble that during the first 8 years of the new millennium laid the foundations for one of the worst economic crises in recent times. It is in this context, in the context of the disruptive technology and economic precariousness, In this context, we must place those known as Generation Z. Taking into account these precedents, what are the job expectations of these people who have recently entered the labor market?
Job expectations of Generation Z or postmillennials
Recent studies, such as that of the consulting firm Robert Half, point to the fact that Generation Z youth will definitely break into the labor market by 2020.. By then, 80% of the workforce will be post baby-boom, while members of Generation Z will represent 20% of the workforce. The main characteristic of the Z's with respect to other preceding generations is the clarity of ideas as to how they want to orient their careers.
Some striking data about the study carried out by the aforementioned consulting firm, are those that refer to the job expectations that members of Generation Z have 5 years after completing their studies:
- Controlling electricity and water consumption 32% of those surveyed in the report stated that they expect to be directly responsible for a team in a major national or international company.
- Controlling electricity and water consumption 20% expects to have started their own project or business, in order to free themselves from the constraints of belonging to a company.
- Controlling electricity and water consumption 6% states that he would like to work in NGOs, making clear another of this generation's concerns: humanitarian and environmental issues.
What the members of this generation do seem to be clear about is that will have to work harder than other generations in order to achieve a similar standard of living.. This is stated by the 77% of the people who have responded to the consultant's survey, making clear the intentions and predisposition that this generation has about the labor market. This way of thinking has its origin in the deep economic crisis that many of them have had to live, either in their own flesh or through the situation of their parents, during the 2008-2015 period. According to experts in the field, these circumstances have made the labor market more precarious, making later generations aware that many of the labor rights that existed before the recession have been lost..
In some ways, Generation Z is psychologically prepared to face the adverse circumstances of a complex labor market.
At Zemsania Group we are experts in recruiting technology personnel for large companies.
Job characteristics of Generation Z
The main feature of this generation was born in the middle of the digital age. That is, unlike millennials, members of Generation Z were born with a cell phone under their arm. This fact has made them the technological generation par excellence, providing them with a series of advantages in this regard but also a series of disadvantages related to multi-technology. Some of these characteristics are as follows:
- They are good listenersGeneration Z is very clear about its convictions and career aspirations, but it also knows that it must learn from the best in order to achieve excellence. Therefore, they have internalized the ability to listen well developed.
- They are creativeThe fact of having been born in a tremendously technological era has not diminished their capacity for creativity, especially considering the great competitiveness that currently exists in the labor market.
- They have poor writing skills, A fundamental aspect when it comes to communicating with other people in an effective way. This is one of the negative points of having grown up playing with a cell phone or tablet. Social networks and technology in general are committed to immediacy, which has caused many young people of this new generation to lack good written communication skills.
Skills to be improved by Generation Z
Recruiters and hiring experts have identified a number of skills that many young talents do not have well developed. From their point of view, these are essential characteristics in the job market and they should try to enhance them:
- Rigorous self-evaluationMany young people are not able to analyze their skills realistically, which is detrimental to their ability to present themselves to talent recruiters. Some tend to overestimate themselves and others to underestimate themselves, without reaching an appropriate middle ground.
- Personal ResponsibilityGeneration Z must empower itself and take responsibility for certain aspects that go beyond the use of technology, such as maturity when it comes to facing the day-to-day in the workplace.
- Positive attitudeThis is another factor that recruiters value and that Generation Z does not always respond to, since emotional education is not part of the statutory education.
- Healthy livingThe most important factor for maximizing productivity in daily work life is the ability to work as you live. The maxim of many HR experts is: «you work as you live».
- Personal skillsThe ability to communicate and transmit ideas in written or spoken form is another point that Generation Z should try to improve.
In short, Generation Z is very prepared for the technological future to come. In addition, they are aware of the difficulty of the labor market because they were born in the midst of the economic crisis, two factors that make them a special paste when it comes to orienting their careers: independence, technology and post-materialism are their main concerns..