Introduction
Recently, on our blog, we explored the fascinating topic of Mobile Reality and the experiences of individuals over 50 stepping into the IT industry for the first time. This discussion sparked considerable interest, highlighting the unique challenges faced by this age group as they navigate the fast-paced world of technology.
Building on that conversation, we now turn our attention to Generation Z in the workplace, a cohort known for its digital fluency and creative energy. As they embark on their business journeys, many are choosing the IT industry as their playground, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. Their approach to work, shaped by a lifetime of digital exposure, presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in fostering a positive culture within organizations.
In this article, we will delve into the realities that Generation Z faces as they enter the IT global workforce. We’ll explore the hurdles they encounter, the expectations they hold, and how their creativity and adaptability make them a unique force in today’s tech-driven world. Join us as we uncover what it means for this new generation to carve out their place in the ever-evolving landscape of IT.
What is the Gen Z?
Generation Z in a world of work is often characterized as a highly demanding generation that doesn’t offer much in return. However, at Mobile Reality, we strongly disagree with this view. We see Gen Z as a breath of fresh air in the IT industry, challenging outdated norms and driving the adoption of new work standards that were unimaginable just a decade ago.
But who exactly are these trailblazers? Born between 1996 and 2015, Generation Z is just beginning to navigate adulthood. They are a group marked by openness, creativity, and a fearless approach to challenges. Unlike previous generations, they are unafraid to voice their needs and opinions, bringing a new level of transparency and dialogue to the workplace, particularly around career growth and job satisfaction.
What sets Generation Z apart is their deep connection with technology. They are the most digitally savvy generation yet, growing up in a world where smartphones and apps are integral to daily life. Their natural affinity for tech innovations makes them invaluable in the IT industry, where their skills and perspectives are not only shaping the future of work but also redefining career progression within the industry.
What does Gen Z employee bring to the workplace?
As mentioned earlier, they bring a refreshing approach to the industry. Generation Z is known for challenging the status quo and fearlessly addressing inefficiencies. They are proactive in suggesting changes that modernize companies and keep them competitive in an ever-evolving market.
Even if Gen Z employees are still building their qualifications, their presence compels organizations to align with contemporary standards, fostering continuous growth and innovation. Their influence is vital in driving the company forward, ensuring it remains relevant and adaptable.
Moreover, the impact of Gen Z extends to their older colleagues as well. By interacting with younger employees, more seasoned workers are exposed to new ideas and perspectives, enriching the workplace with creativity and fresh insights. This generational synergy creates a dynamic and forward-thinking environment, beneficial for all.
What do employers perceive as negative aspects of hiring Generation Z?
While Generation Z brings many strengths to the workplace, some employers and managers have concerns about certain traits. As we can read at www.resumebuilder.com "74% of managers say GenZ is the most challenging generation to work with". Common issues include their perceived impatience and high expectations for rapid career advancement, which can sometimes make them appear stingy with a job in environments that value long-term growth. Their strong desire for work-life balance and flexibility can sometimes be seen as a lack of commitment, particularly in company cultures where these values are less emphasized. Additionally, Gen Z's tendency to job-hop in pursuit of diverse experiences poses challenges for retention and continuity, which can impact income and brand reputation. Concerns about poor communication style, often influenced by the fast-paced nature of social media, also arise when Gen Z employees interact with others in more traditional settings. Understanding these challenges and aligning them with company core values helps employers better integrate Gen Z, creating a work environment where both the company and employees can thrive.
What expectations does Gen Z have at work in the IT industry?
Diversity
Gen Z wants to work in a diverse environment where they can collaborate with people of different ages, orientations, and religions. They seek workplaces emphasizing diversity and inclusion, allowing them to learn from colleagues with various experience levels while continuously developing their skills and competencies. As a generation that supports movements such as LGBT, Gen Z cannot imagine working in an environment that does not embrace diversity and inclusion.
Integration into the team
Like an older generation, Gen Z also wants to be part of the group. They want to be sure that, together with their team, they can achieve even more. Gen Z wants cool colleagues at work to meet on Friday night for a beer, whom they can call with any problem. They will not find themselves in a team where people don’t know and don’t like each other.
Career customization
As one of the first generations, Generation Z doesn't want to work all their life in one company, having big tech jobs, working in one profession, or one team. They prioritize personal development and seek environments that support this through a positive company culture. Gen Zers want to experience and model their professional careers based on their current needs. Sometimes, even within one company, they want the ability to customize their career by being promoted to a higher position or freely transferring to a new, interesting department that allows them to discover their purpose and expand their skill set even further.
Pay Justice
This is something that becomes the standard. Undoubtedly, this was most influenced by Gen Z, which made the advertisements include the scope of the proposed payout. Thanks to this, situations in which two people in the same roles, in the same company, have two different levels of remuneration are less and less frequent. Gen Z wants to know if their salary is fair, in line with the company's payroll policy, workplace benefits, and company culture, and if they are being treated fairly on the team. Improve your company's payroll policy and workplace benefits, and young workers will be happy to work in a place like this.
Career purpose
Gen Z wants to know what the purpose of their work is. They want to see the real impact of their work, not only on the company but also on the world. They want to do something great that will translate into their lives and the lives of the next generations. A job that makes no sense for the employee or the world? This will not be a good job for Gen Z.
Choice
Gen Z wants to have a choice whether it is about flexibility in working time, whether they work from home, a beach, or an office building. This generation is flexible and adaptable to anything but wants to be able to choose. If you work remotely, allow them to show up in the office, even if it's just a coworking space. If you work in an office, let them take home office sometimes. If that kind of employee has a choice, they will select what is best for them, and it will ultimately affect the effectiveness of their work.
Tech news
Generation Z as digital natives don’t want to work on a laptop from 10 years ago and don’t want to work with old technologies. Gen Z worker wants to develop and work better and more efficiently, but to be able to do it, they want to work with modern work tools. Remember, if you want a modern company, take care of workplace culture and environment for your employees.
Work-life balance
A lot is said about it, which means that for some it has become just a slogan. The truth is that no one cares more about maintaining a balance in life than people from this generation, who want to both give 100% at work and be able to enjoy life after working hours. This new generation cares about their private life, they do not neglect any sphere of their lives, know what they want, and do not want to repeat the mistakes of their parents and grandparents who spent their entire lives at work. Gen Z wants to enjoy life and works with positive energy in a company that does something good for the world.
What challenges does Gen Z face at the beginning of their IT career?
Competition
The competition in the IT job market is huge, and it is getting harder and harder to get the first job as a junior. Very often there are as many as 500 CVs for one junior position, which is why, unfortunately, Gen Z has to put in a lot of work and energy to get the first job. Best advice? Stand out, learn all the time, work on your projects, be polite and punctual - simple, but more and more simple things are being forgotten.
Tech innovations
The necessity to keep up with technical innovations and new technologies/programming languages can overwhelm even people with many years of professional experience. After all, Gen Z has the advantage that they grew up with many technologies, so with a little time and patience, they can keep up to date with everything, which is the obvious advantage of this generation.
Changeable environment
The world has been developing surprisingly fast in recent years, which means that changes in companies are often introduced overnight. This requires quick adaptation, a change of direction, and a change in approach to everything - not all can easily adapt to such a dynamic environment.
English is a must-have
In the IT industry, getting a job without knowing English is extremely difficult. English in IT is the main language for communication and that will not change. If you want Gen Z to feel comfortable with it, it’s worth supporting your employees in learning this language.
Productivity and mental health challenge
Gen Z is the first generation to have conducted/completed their education completely remotely due to the pandemic. They are the generation that learned to function in such a reality, but at the same time began to notice that the complete lack of interpersonal contacts affects their productivity and well-being. Advice? Integrations, meetings, virtual meetings, talks, and a lot of sports in free time.
The need to achieve success
Generation Z is a generation that, apart from achieving a balance in life, is deeply interested in careers that lead to enormous professional success. This is because the era of influencers has shown that success is possible in a very simple and magical way. Unfortunately, these influencers often don’t show what their path looked like and what sacrifices it cost them. Such a false picture of reality could be harmful and could cause Gen Z to get lost in the vision of quick success, instead of focusing on their real needs, which could be related simply to a small house in the middle of the forest.
Gen Z's preference for digital connection and recognition
Generation Z has a natural affinity for modern technology and often prefers to express emotions, give recognition, and build relationships online. In a world where digital interactions are second nature to them, traditional methods of employee recognition may not fully resonate. This is where NFT Reality Kudos comes into play. By leveraging blockchain technology and integrating with an employee app, NFT Reality Kudos aligns perfectly with Gen Z’s preferences. It offers a modern, innovative way for organizations to acknowledge achievements and foster a sense of community, all within the digital spaces where Gen Z feels most at home. With NFT Reality Kudos, companies can tap into the digital-first mindset of this generation, offering recognition that feels both relevant and meaningful.
How can the workforce and other generations be adapted to the integration of Generation Z?
To successfully integrate Generation Z into the existing workforce, especially with senior employees (e.g. baby boomers), it's important to make some key adjustments in organizational culture. Implementing mentoring programs can help senior employees share their knowledge while learning from younger colleagues about new technologies. Creating an open communication environment where all generations can exchange ideas freely is also crucial. Additionally, providing support for senior employees to adapt to the flexible work styles of Gen Z and offering training on generational diversity can foster better understanding and collaboration. Building bridges between generations ensures a cohesive and effective team to achieve organizational goals together.
Conclusion
Generation Z is undoubtedly a unique cohort of young professionals. On one hand, they possess unparalleled access to global knowledge and the ability to turn their ambitious ideas into reality. On the other hand, they are stepping into the workforce during a time of significant global shifts, facing unprecedented and complex challenges. Despite these obstacles, we are confident that Generation Z is uniquely equipped to navigate these challenges, bringing resilience and innovation to the table in ways that previous generations, such as Gen X and Millennials, could only imagine.
Their ability to adapt, coupled with their inherent technological fluency and creative mindset, positions them as a generation capable of driving profound changes in our world. We believe that Gen Z will not only overcome the difficulties of our time but will also pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future, reshaping industries and societies in ways that benefit all.
Are you interested in working in a dynamic and diverse environment where you can collaborate with talented individuals from Generation Z, alongside those from Gen Y and Boomers? Join us and be a part of a team that thrives on diversity and innovation.
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