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Google “Gen Z” and you’ll find countless articles about this generation written from the perspective of older generations. For this article, we thought we’d do something a little different – here’s everything recruiters and HR leaders need to know about Gen Z – from the perspective of a Gen Zer herself. Article authored by Qualigence intern Sofia Nava Marron.

Wake up, 15 minutes of Instagram, wash face, online course. Does this sound like your morning routine? Probably not.  All generations are very different from each other and their differences are clear from the moment they wake up.

Employers often mistake GenZ for millennials 2.0 and such an error will cost the company potential employees and its reputation. Hence, the HR sector should focus on understanding how Gen Z and millennials differ.

If companies want to effectively attract Gen Z through employer branding and recruit these professionals, they need to understand what motivates them and their perspective on the workplace.

To all the millennials reading, grab your matcha latte and get ready for the revolution of the century.

Differences According to the Internet

Gen Y or millennials were born between 1981 and 1995. They reached adulthood at the beginning of the millennium coining the name “millennials.” The most important life event for these people was the technological explosion of the internet and social media.

Most people from this group are well out of college and settled in a company with a large social media following. Additionally, when it comes to professions, millennials are less likely to follow their parents’ or relatives’ footsteps and rather explore a new career.

Gen Z, the iGeneration or Zoomers are people born between 1996 and 2010. Our childhood was full of uncertainty as 9/11 flooded our neighborhoods with fear, and we had to watch our parents pull through the 2008 crisis. Most recently COVID-19 has completely changed our adolescence since we must miss out on major life events and acclimate to online learning.

Moreover, in the line of business, Gen Z is considered the “True Gen” because we look past the marketing to see who the company really is and what its values are. Gen Zers search for authenticity which generates greater freedom of expression.

Check out our infographic to learn more about the differences between Gen Z and millennials.

Differences According to Experience

Growing up with technology in the palm of our hands, Gen Zs are technology masters. There is no doubt that both Gen Z and millennials are good with technology but Gen Z won’t need training, they will probably be training you.

Having said this, Gen Zs expect to be working with technology whether it be for communication or manufacturing. According to a Dell Inc. interview, ninety-one percent of Zoomers say that when choosing a company for employment, “technology influences the job choice among similar employment offers.”

When it comes to communication, millennials respond better to written and visual whereas Gen Zers prefer short-form video communication. Contrary to popular belief we prefer short emails, texts, or images instead of face-to-face talk.

Even though we are considered weak writers because of our excessive use of emojis and abbreviations, we believe online communication is less time-consuming and less intimidating. This form of communication also applies to feedback; however, we favor face-to-face communication to clarify any misunderstandings.

FaceTime has become one of the most popular ways for us to communicate with friends and now that we are in online school we see new opportunities of using video chat platforms in the line of work.

It is important to keep in mind that we, the Gen Zs, spend most of our time looking at social media which has altered the way we think and do everyday things.

This includes our spending and budgeting decisions. Yes, more than 80% of Gen Z is indeed influenced by social media in our shopping compared to 74% of millennials. For this reason, Gen Z prioritizes making money and having a successful career according to a report from Morning Consult. I mean, what else is money for if it’s not to be spent?

Unlike millennials, Zoomers have a very clear stance on finance. For instance, a report by RaveReviews reveals that by the age of 10, we already had our first savings account and have begun saving for college.

By 13, we started researching financial planning. Furthermore, thirty-five percent of Gen Zers already own a small business or plan on owning one in the future. It is safe to say that Gen Z is ready to take on what lies ahead.

Are You Ready to Attract, Recruit and Retain Gen Z Talent?

As you can see millennials and Gen Zs differ in communication, financial perspective, morning routines, and much more. Knowing how each generation differentiates can lead to more productivity and better employee relations.

We know that as millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers understanding Gen Z, in order to recruit and retain this talent, is challenging. On top of that, you have to make sure past generations are also engaged.

If you want to keep learning about ways to improve your company check out our human resource articles. And be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more practical advice on all things recruiting!