This guest post about Generation Z in the Workplace is written by Mr. Ryan Simbulan, a student from the Technological Institute of the Philippines.
The Millennials have made both good and bad impressions in the current workforce. The oldest Millennials would be more than 30 years old now, some possibly holding managerial positions. But now, another shift in the demography of the workforce is happening. Millennials and other generations should now point their lenses to the new generation that will soon make its first mark in the workplace—Generation Z, born between the late 1990s and early 2000s. That is an estimated 21 million Gen Z-ers to prepare for!
Here are some traits of this new generation your organization must know before engaging with these digital natives.
Characteristics of Generation Z in the Workplace
They want career growth
Future professionals from Generation Z, or Gen Z-ers, seek continuous development from and for their career path. Seventy-five percent of them stated that if given the chance, they’re open to handling multiple positions within a company if that will accelerate their career growth. Most Gen Z-ers think about the future—their plans and how to achieve it. Giving them the right tools to succeed in their chosen career is what they need.
They may be more competitive
Millennials are known for their outstanding social skills within the workplace, nothing like the Gen Z. Competitiveness and independence mark this generation. Proving their worth, purpose, and skill is what matters. Many want projects for themselves to display their talent and abilities to shine through. They want to work on their own and judged based on their efforts.
They prefer to communicate face-to-face
An unpopular belief but these tech-savvies born in an environment where communication occurs virtually most of the time prefer personal and face-to-face communication. Seeing the negative impacts experienced by millennials after somehow relying, if not completely, on social media, Gen Z-ers now want to talk to a person with gestures, facial expressions, real voice, and honesty, most of all.
They can multitask better than millennials
Gen Z-ers are experts at handling things—at once. Numerous studies proved that this generation can shift from one task to another with minimal effort due to the instinctual ability to process information faster. This can be attributed to the fact that they have been raised with smartphones that present various apps and information at the same time. Millennials proved themselves to be good multitaskers, but Generation Z appears to be better.
They can ideate better
Seventy-two percent (72%) of Gen Z-ers are motivated to start their own businesses. This generation’s deviance from norms opens ideas for new businesses. Their competitiveness, independence, and desire for financial stability are traits that make them “entrepreneurial”.
New people in the workplace urges new ways of doing things. Adjustments need to be done to cope with Generation Z’s new set of unique qualities, desires, and demands. Just remember that just like the millennials, all you need to do is understand and be open to what the Gen Z-ers want.
