How to Attract Gen Z: Top 6 Recruitment Strategies

Gen Z is quickly filling today's workforce. These young adults, born between 1996 and 2015, are diverse, creative, activist, and digital natives.

Today, roughly 6.1% of the labor force is Gen Z. However, estimates suggest that by 2030, they will constitute roughly 30% of the U.S. workforce.

Since today's Gen Z'er is tomorrow's CEO (and since 2030 is only a few years away), companies must implement strategies for recruiting these up-and-coming workers. And the strategies must start now. 

Gen Z job seekers desire a highly individualized career path. They won't compromise by falling into a mold that doesn't "fit" their career vision.

What Gen Z Wants in the Workplace

If you want to increase the longevity of your company, developing a culture where Gen Z candidates want to work is a must. Here are the top six things these young job seekers anticipate.

Aligned Values

"Company culture" is today's buzzword, and Gen Z candidates know it. They're on guard against companies that merely "talk the talk." They want to work with a company that aligns with their values. To them, aligned values aren't just part of an ideal workplace--they're an expectation.

Two values Gen Z cares most about are—

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Gen Z is the most diverse generation in U.S. history. They want to see themselves and their peer group reflected and appreciated in the workforce.
• Environmental Awareness. The activist-minded Gen Z'er believes in personal and corporate impact on the environment and society. They expect to see these ethics implemented at work from the top down. 

Training and Growth

While Gen Z is the most educated generation in the workforce, they're very aware of their inexperience. They crave growth and personal development. They seek mentorship from older, more seasoned co-workers. They want peer coaching built on authentic relationships and growth and advancement opportunities as they progress.

Flexibility

Partly because of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, Gen Z expects flexibility in the workplace. They want their work to fall into place around their lives—not vice versa. Consequently, they're looking for the flexibility to work from home, at their favorite coffee shop, or on vacation. As digital natives, they are digitally fluent and more than capable of navigating the challenges of remote work.

Mental Health Awareness

Gen Z is highly in tune with the vitalness of mental health. Personal wellness is vital to them. Consequently, they seek improved access to and empathy toward mental health issues in the workplace.

Purpose

Even though Gen Z is the most socially active generation, they are hungry for genuine relationships and connection—both with their colleagues and their world. For them, this connection ties to a sense of purpose. It's crucial to foster community in your company and highlight the work impact you're making together.

Advanced Technologies

Mediocre technology won't cut it for Gen Z. They've never known a time when technology wasn't at their fingertips, using it to streamline their work and social endeavors. Therefore, they expect companies to stay relevant by keeping their technology up-to-date.

At Career Concepts, we help employers like you find the talent you need. For over fifty years, we've provided quality, excellence, and authenticity to our clients and candidates: "The Right People. The Right Job." Connect with us today, and let's get started!