Hiring Young Talent | What to Know About Gen Z
With Gen Z entering the workforce, you might have questions about their workstyle and employability. It’s no secret that young people often find it challenging to attain their first job. Usually, it’s because of inexperience. The catch-22 – can’t get a job without experience and can’t get experience without a job – makes it quite hard to gain an opportunity.
The battle between experienced and new starters has always been present. Hiring young people often means hiring without proof that they can successfully do the job. They might have the grades but with half the CV of the alternative employee, which can feel risky. However, experience isn’t everything and the lack of it doesn’t mean young people don’t deserve a chance – they have a lot to offer.
Hardworking
Young people are incredibly hard-working. Having battled through the competitive job market, young people are well-prepared to go the extra mile to differentiate themselves, develop skills and contribute towards the success of the company. Young people also want to establish a good career and will work hard to impress other employees and employers. Not to mention, younger employees tend to have fewer commitments and can dedicate more time to the company’s success.
Innovation / Fresh Ideas
Young people are usually more aware of the current trends and newer strategies. With this, they bring new ideas, fresh perspectives and innovation. If they think something might benefit the business, they will tell you.
Also, with great technology and access to information, Gen Z tend to have more global influences than local ones, which can make them more open-minded and accepting.
Adaptability
Growing up in the fast-paced digital era, young people are quick-thinking, and adaptable to change and new strategies.
In 2022, the UK government started the Make Young People Your Business campaign. The campaign was intended to show the benefits of hiring young talent. They suggest that by investing in young people, you also invest in the growth and future of the company. Young people are very willing to learn. If you foster their skills and dedicate time to training them, they can learn the methods that are right for your company. Experience has its benefits; however, it can sometimes inhibit workers when learning new methods. People often question the way things are done based on their experience. With younger employees, this is not the case.
Energy and Enthusiasm
One benefit of younger employees is that they haven’t had years of being worn down in the workplace! With this, they still have a fresh drive and energy. Having varied ages in your workforce is beneficial to everyone in the company. Older employees can help foster the skills and knowledge of the younger employees, whilst younger employees can bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm.
Tech-Savvy
Gen Z are known as “digital natives”. They are the first generation to grow up with the internet as a part of everyday life! Smartphones and social media are commonplace for Gen Z, so is natural for them. Learning new software, and new platforms doesn’t intimidate younger employees, they embrace it.
Again, this is where a varied workforce is ideal. Gen Z is familiar with technology, but often the technology has been user-optimised, so they haven’t had the same challenges as Millennials. Gen Z and Millennials favour different platforms and different strategies.
When it comes to social media, Gen Z typically prefer TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat whereas Millennials prefer Facebook and Twitter. This can be relevant in fields like Marketing or Communications. Additionally, trying to reach Gen Z as a customer base with outdated platforms simply won’t work. Younger people understand other younger people and can help your brand bridge the gap and reach untapped markets!
Cost-Effective
Without coming across as brash, younger employees tend to be cheaper. Higher salaries are earned through experience and skill and younger people are just at the start of that journey! If you invest in them, they will likely invest in you.
How to Foster Young Talent
It is clear young people have a lot of great qualities to offer, so what is the best way to find, hire, and foster young talent?
Internships
Internships are a great way for young people to get their foot in the door and gain experience, but they are also a great way for companies to see a candidate's skillset and performance firsthand. When talking about internships, it’s important to clarify, that I don’t mean the fetching coffee, old-school internship style. Instead offer internships where employees finish with real tangible skills, a portfolio, and hopefully a desire to work with you again.
Quadrant2Design, a UK-based exhibition stand designer and builder, has a great line of success stories with internships. The company has been offering a placement year to university students for over 10 years and has found long-term success in doing so! Quadrant2Design’s CAD & Manufacturing Manager, Kajal Halai, started as a placement student with the team and is now a driving force in the brand's manufacturing processes and success!
Take a Chance
It can be daunting to hire without experience, but sometimes you just have to take a chance. If you have a prospective employee who seems to have a fantastic skillset and great grades, it might be worth offering them an opportunity to prove themselves! You could offer a trial period with a short-term contract to see how they perform. Alternatively, you could ask for test work before offering a job. In short, there are always ways to work past the lack of experience – everyone has to start somewhere!
Summing up
Young people have so much to offer the workplace. It might be intimidating to stray away from what you know, but in focusing on the experience the candidate does not have, you might miss out on fresh perspectives, great work ethics and talent!
Hiring younger people is not just about ticking a box, and filling a position, it’s about nurturing potential and investing in the future.
