Meeting Gen Z's Expectations for Work

Last week I sat down with one of my Gen Z clients to discuss his career goals. We assessed his professional life as a whole looking at: Recognition, Creativity, Satisfaction, Results, Relationship and Career Development.

I was not surprised when the results showed he didn’t get enough recognition at work, and he felt career development was weak in his department. At his company career ladders do not exist for employees to reference as they plan their futures, and his manager has so many direct reports he can’t know or appreciate the muscle that goes into the projects my client takes on.

I want you to pause for a moment and google, “what is gen z looking for in a job?” 

These answers surface: salary, work-life balance, promotions, good wages, attentive bosses, opportunities to develop skills…

If you are an employer, leader, or HR professional, avoid disconnectedness and costly turnover by investing time and resources in:

• Clear career growth plans that are published and circulated

• Alignment of individual interests with corporate interests

• Build a sense of community at work

• Give your employees agency by enlisting their help to do these things

Want an employee engagement and retention partner? I’ve got 20 years of experience championing these efforts inside companies of all sizes, I’d love to share my tips and tricks with you. susan@talent-advancement.com