GENERATION Y VS. GENERATION Z AT WORK

While most employers are still trying to figure out Generation Y (or the Millennials, born between 1980 and 1995), the next group of issue is heading towards their way. Generation Z (born in 1995 and onwards) has several differences compared to the Millennials.

While Gen Y is very busy with the job hunt and cannot wait to be discovered, Gen Z starts a new business instead of going to college... Entrepreneurialism shows up significantly stronger in Generation Z, mostly thanks to the wide range of social media they are raised with.

Having access to great amount of information made them adaptive of facing and solving challenges and using their connections to start their own business. Also, there are plenty of programs for them that encourage entrepreneurial thinking instead of just sitting and accepting knowledge in the classroom. Of course, everything has a radical side, but still, companies can strongly build on a motivated, career-minded Gen Z, since all businesses need innovation and development at some point. Studies also show that while Gen Y tends to switch workplaces more in their lives, Gen Z is more likely to stay at one place for longer.

The Millennials are more driven by money and stability in their lives than Gen Z. It might have a connection to the entrepreneurial mindset; Gen Z would rather have success and recognition than finances as a goal. Thus companies have to focus more on trainings and development, also on offering meaningful work, since for members of Generation Z it is very important that what they do matters. Regular feedback and personal mentoring are crucial factors, too. Socialized in a fast changing technological environment, Gen Z is full of individuals who are seeking to be the best and are willing to learn anything that comes in their way to achieve that goal. They have a stronger desire for managers to listen to their ideas and value their opinions compared to the Millennilas who would rather work independently. Generation Z lives for the future and appears to be more realistic, unlike Gen Y members, who rather stay in the present and sometimes it is inconvenient for them to get used to technological changes or accept that they can be taught more.

Obviously, technological development is very much differently perceived by the two generations; Gen Z grew up with it, Gen Y saw it from the beginning and lives through its evolution. Adapting to changes are therefore harder for Gen Y, they would rather share inventions and ideas with each other while Gen Z is seeking ways to create new things. However, there is one main element that is common in the two generations. Despite their online lifestyle, both need face-to-face communication as well. They don’t believe that technology would substitute real life communication, even if their professional communication mostly happens online.

Of course there are many more similarities and even more differences out there between Gen Y and Z. For an individual searching for a job or for an HR professional recruiting for a position it is recommended to get informed on these issues. You will have an easier time finding a workplace that suits you better or you will know how to speak to, promote to a certain audience from one of the generation groups. 

While most employers are still trying to figure out Generation Y (or the Millennials, born between 1980 and 1995), the next group of issue is heading towards their way. Generation Z (born in 1995 and onwards) has several differences compared to the Millennials.