Those Crazy Kids! Hiring and Retaining Gen Z!

You have positions to fill. You want to get the best, most talented individuals to help your business grow. Take a good look at “Those Crazy Kids” – they’re a wellspring of knowledge!

A new generation of talent is entering the work force. These workers are 23 and younger. They have grown up in a digital world. They use the internet, smart phones, video games and social media with intuitive ease. They are innovators and love tech solutions.

So, what can you do as an employer to attract and retain this amazing group of humans? Turns out they are not so different from you or me. First and foremost, they want to make a decent living. They expect to receive benefits like medical insurance, paid time off and retirement. Attractive benefits also include Maternity/Paternity Leave, Student Loan Repayment Programs and Tuition Reimbursement.

Flexible work options are expected. They prefer to work from home or wherever they are comfortable. They are looking for a job that fits their life. Work/Life balance is critical.

When it comes to the work, this group works well with Peer Coaching Programs. They like feeling like they are a part of a team and are terrific collaborators. This group likes learning and developing new skills. Growing in their career and seeing solid opportunities for improving their position in your company are critical considerations for joining your business. To get the most out of your young workforce, look into mixing and matching different generations on the same team. Also evaluate job rotations. If you have a good employee, let them see all of the ways people are impacting the company. While they might be a terrific Social Media expert, they might want to learn and grow in a different direction. Are you willing to invest – or possibly lose them?

This generation has grown up in some pretty volatile and difficult times. They are socially aware and want to work for a business that demonstrates social responsibility. You’ll want to make sure the things you are doing to impact the world are front and center on your websites and your social media.

The bottom line, as with all hiring and retention, is to be fair and honest with your recruits and employees. Gen Z wants good wages, a decent place to work and opportunities to learn, grow and make a difference – not so different from when I entered the work force!

Has your business done specific things to attract this group? Share them! I’d love to learn what you’re doing too!