Various Generational experts have various birth dates for Gen Z but guidance is 1995 to 2015 and more importantly this generation is after Millennials. Research has already shown us that Gen Z differs in many ways from the Gen Y’s. In total Gen Z makes up 26% of the U.S. population and is characterized as the most diverse generation in U.S. history. Research shows they also have the shortest attention span (an average 8 seconds) and true digital natives. Praise our educators with that challenge!
What makes the Gen Z’s different than Gen Y cohort according to Melissa Murray Bailey, president for Americas at Universum, a global research and advisory firm specializing in employer branding headquartered in Stockholm, “the key thing we see with this group is that they’re global, they’re well-connected and they’ve had to deal with a lot of uncertainty. Generation Z came of age in a post-Sept. 11 world saturated with news of terrorism, war and economic distress. This has caused them to be target-oriented, planning careers and seeking job security earlier than previous cohorts”, Bailey said.
Here are the significant differences from the Gen Y cohort:
- Gen Z is ready to work.
Many would consider joining the workforce right out of high school. They saw the previous generations saddled with student loan debt and want to avoid that as much as possible. - Gen Z has an intense entrepreneurial spirit.
Many would rather start a business than become and employee. They want to be their own boss and make an impact. - Gen Z wants success in their own hands.
Success is being redefined by Gen Z which means work/life balance and job security. This is shared by the Millennials as well. Gen Z wants to be autonomous, much like Gen X, dedicated to a cause, whereas Gen Y wanted to work for a cause company, Gen Z wants to be dedicated to a cause. - Gen Z wants to find a job that fits their personality.
However, they may worry about underperforming. - Gen Z is global.
They are global, well-connected and have dealt with a lot of uncertainty and therefore may be able to react to unplanned and/or unexpected business environments.
As employers have realized the challenges of the Millennials in their workplaces, the Gen Z cohort will have another set of expectations when entering the workplace. The best advise to employers is to continue to educate yourselves on this cohort.