Gen Z faces multiple obstacles in today’s post-pandemic job market.
Gen Z faces multiple barriers to employment in today’s job market. Many of these obstacles stem from the pandemic and its aftermath, which includes Gen Z being forced to start this critical stage of their careers remotely, complete their education and enter the workforce – from home. This has resulted in a negative impact on mental health, feelings of loneliness and isolation, job insecurity due to artificial intelligence taking over many jobs and layoffs in major sectors over the past two years. As a result, many Gen Zers face the prospect of being pushed into the job search without practical opportunities for work experience. They have missed out on everyday learning that comes through personal social interaction or opportunities to develop key soft skills needed to boost their CV, such as communication skills.
This has resulted in 45% of Gen Z worrying about their employment stability, according to a McKinsey overviewwhile a Deloitte overview noted that about 46% of Gen Zers admit to being stressed or anxious all or most of the time.
What can the younger workforce do to land their dream roles in today’s tight job market, with their limited experience?
The good news is that many managers look for transferable skills beyond resume bullet points when hiring for entry-level roles. Additionally, this barrier to employment can be overcome if you are strategic in your job search for entry-level roles.
Richa Gupta, GP’s Chief HR Officer, believes that limited work experience need not be a complete barrier for Gen Z job candidates. “When interviewing or researching potential employers, Gen Z should be strategic and selective,” advises. “Thoughtfulness empowers job seekers to make choices that align with their values, goals and personal well-being, leading to a more successful and rewarding career.”
He recommends that Gen Z prioritize seeking employers that provide a strong career path at this critical stage in their lives, to help them recover and gain the skills needed to move into other roles more aligned with their careers .
Gupta lists five specific factors to look out for, including:
Professional Development Opportunities
“Look for employers who invest in training and development programs. Companies that offer mentoring, workshops, upskilling and opportunities to work with colleagues in different countries indicate their commitment to helping employees advance and grow in their careers. In the recent GP World Development Report, Gen Z workers overwhelmingly (85%) said they believe companies that hire from multiple countries offer more opportunities to grow their careers. Even further, Gen Z workers see opportunities beyond the workplace – nearly 2 in 5 (39%) cited the opportunity to gain new personal skills as a top reason for working for a global organization,” says Gupta.
Transparent Communication
“Being open and transparent with expectations provides employees with a clear understanding of their role, responsibilities and career path,” continues Gupta. “About 47% of Gen Z workers in the report cited transparency as a top quality for a successful leader. Look for employers who openly discuss performance reviews, expectations, career goals and the steps needed to advance in the organization.”
One of the best ways to easily identify these employers is to talk to a range of current and former employees and ask them about their experiences. You could find them on LinkedIn and start a chat over coffee or, if they’re in your area, invite them to lunch.
Additionally, employee review sites like Glassdoor provide great insights into company culture and management style, including communication transparency.
Companies that embrace innovation are more likely to provide opportunities for growth.
Innovative Culture
“Companies that embrace innovation are more likely to provide opportunities for growth, and those with a global presence are better positioned to handle changing market dynamics.” Gupta goes on to explain that, according to the report, global companies are better at attracting talent, creating new businesses, navigating geopolitical and economic pressures, and implementing new technologies, such as adopting and integrating artificial intelligence. “A forward-thinking, flexible organization can be a positive sign for career progression and is essential in today’s flexible workforce,” he suggests.
Room to Grow
“Investigate the company’s history of promoting from within and ask hiring managers about growth opportunities during the interview process. If they have a history of investing in employees and promoting them in creative ways, that can be a sign that they value internal talent and offering them room to grow,” says Gupta.
A company’s LinkedIn page can also be a fantastic resource for providing information through a chart about employee turnover, promotions and growth rates in the organization.
Different Leadership
Gen Z is known for embracing diversity in the workforce. Gupta recommends that Gen Z look for companies with diverse leadership teams, as these are often more inclusive and provide opportunities for employees of all backgrounds to advance. This helps you advance your career, even if you’ve had limited experience, so you’re not at a disadvantage compared to others.
“When asked what would be most appealing about working in a global organization, greater diversity of thought was one of the top four responses from Gen Z employees. A diverse leadership team can indicate a commitment to fair and unbiased career development,” he adds. the Gupta.
Highlight your skills
When asked what qualities employees need to be successful in a global company, executives surveyed as part of the report chose problem-solving skills (38%), communication skills (38%) and team spirit (35%).
“Gen Z job seekers should highlight these skills to demonstrate how they would fit in well with the team they hope to join. Candidates can demonstrate their problem-solving skills by sharing specific instances where they faced challenges and came up with innovative solutions. solutions, emphasizing their adaptability and critical thinking,” advises Gupta. “Gen Z candidates should also demonstrate their communication skills to advance them in the job process, as employers often look for candidates who can convey ideas , their information and thoughts effectively – both orally and in writing Finally, they can highlight their ability to work in a team by discussing previous team projects (this may include those undertaken remotely) and how they contributed positively to its success team.”
Limited work experience does not have to hinder your professional development.
Limited work experience does not have to hinder your professional development. Instead, see the positive as an opportunity to reinvent yourself, demonstrate your transferable skills, and find an employer who can mentor you and accelerate your progress.
