The Generation Z Talent Pool

More and more Gen Zers are making their way into the talent pool with each passing year, but with each new generation of workers comes a shift in expectations when it comes to hiring. The first round of Generation Z talent is just now reaching their early 20’s and heading into the job market, so you need to be prepared. Here are a few of the changes you need to be prepared for:

Their Resumes are Different

The fact of the matter is that Generation Z has been faced with increasingly uncertain guidelines for what it means to be successful as an adult. Many of them have been raised to experiment and learn new skills organically using YouTube tutorials and how-to articles, and as a result, you may not see big-name colleges headlining their resume. Instead, they are focused on producing real results over paying for merits through a traditional school in the form of student loans. If you really want to unlock their potential, start giving them real-world problems to solve, and observe their process. This will tell you more about how they fit within your team than any college degree ever could.

They Know Their Tech

Gen Z was practically born with a smartphone in hand. They’ve been using devices for just about everything since they were old enough to walk home from school on their own. In fact, having their phone in hand is a large part of how they boost productivity. They think nothing of shooting off a quick text, sending an email, making a call to a colleague, and searching the web for a solution to their most pressing Xcel spreadsheet problems. In their hands, a smartphone is an endless well of information and solutions. Employers who have strict no-phone policies are missing out on Gen Z’s talent by failing to harness the tools that they are so proficient with.

If you want to take advantage of the unique skills and abilities that Gen Z is bringing to the table, now is the time to start re-examining the way you identify qualified candidates and the way you treat technology in the workplace. Opening up to new possibilities with tech and problem solving will allow you to see the full genius of the Gen Z talent pool.