17 Surprising Things You'll Learn About Generation Z And Freelancing

Gen Z is the newest generation to enter the workforce. It’s hyperconnected and incredibly entrepreneurial, but also burdened with student debt that forces it to have side hustles and other means of making money.

It’s a generation that grew up surrounded by technology, both in school and out of school, and so it’s no surprise that many of its members are willing to use those skills to make a living for themselves outside of the 9-to-5 grind.

If you want to understand this new generation of workers and how they might be different from their predecessors then read this blog post!

6 Things To Know About Generation Z

Takeaways
Generation Z is driving a significant shift in the freelance economy.
Generation Z freelancers bring fresh perspectives and innovative skills to the table.
Gen Z has a strong desire for work-life balance and flexibility in their careers.
Technology and digital platforms play a crucial role in Generation Z’s approach to freelancing.
Gen Z freelancers value purpose-driven work and seek meaningful experiences.
Collaboration and networking are essential for Gen Z freelancers to thrive in the freelance economy.
Generation Z is more inclined towards remote work and gig economy opportunities.
Gen Z freelancers possess digital fluency and adaptability, making them valuable assets.
Understanding and embracing emerging trends is key for Gen Z freelancers’ success.
Gen Z freelancers are more likely to prioritize learning and skill development.
Diversity and inclusivity are important considerations for Gen Z freelancers in their work.
The freelance economy provides opportunities for Gen Z to make a significant impact.
Gen Z freelancers may face challenges such as competition and work-life balance.
Gen Z freelancers can leverage social media and online platforms for self-promotion.
Continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends are vital for Gen Z freelancers.
The Gen Z mindset is reshaping traditional work models and paving the way for new possibilities.
Gen Z freelancers value experiences and meaningful connections over traditional career paths.

Table of Contents

1. Gen Zers Have A Strong Desire To Be Entrepreneurs

You may be surprised to learn that Generation Z, which is currently between the ages of 18 and 24, wants to be entrepreneurs. In fact, according to a recent survey from the Harvard Business Review, over half of Gen Zers say that they want to start their own businesses some day.

This finding isn’t surprising when you consider that these young people have grown up during an era when entrepreneurship is everywhere: from reality TV shows like Shark

Tank and The Apprentice where viewers can see how successful strangers build companies from scratch;

To books like 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris; or documentaries like Startup on HBO which chronicles how Silicon Valley’s biggest names started out as college dropouts who decided.

They didn’t want to wait until they were 40 years old with gray hair before they could take control of their lives by building something new (or even better something old).

Generation Z is a driving force in the freelance economy, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative skills to the table. Discover how this generation is shaping the future of freelancing in our article on Generation Z Is Driving a Freelance Economy.

2. Gen Zers Want To Find Alternatives To Traditional Jobs As Soon As Possible

You might think that Gen Zers would have no interest in freelancing, but you’d be wrong. In fact, they want to find alternatives to traditional jobs as soon as possible.

Why? Because they want more freedom and flexibility than what a traditional job offers and this isn’t something new for them.

In fact, Gen Zers are more likely to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities than millennials:

According to a study conducted by Deloitte, 75% of Generation Z said they were interested in starting their own businesses over the next 5 years; only 68% of millennials said the same thing
A survey by Youth Business International showed that 70% of Gen Zers want careers that give them autonomy over how they work (compared with 56% of millennials)

3. Gen Zers Want To Become Self-Employed

According to the study, Gen Zers want to be self-employed. When asked what they wanted to do in 10 years, 70% of respondents said they either wanted to own their own business or work for themselves.

This is a huge change from previous generations that have preferred the traditional 9-5 job with benefits.

The appeal of freelancing has a lot to do with autonomy and flexibility; most millennials don’t want to be tied down by strict schedules and long commutes anymore and Gen Zers feel even more strongly about it.

Working remotely allows them the freedom to choose where they spend their time, whether that’s at home with family or at a coffee shop downtown.

Are you considering hiring freelancers for your business? Look no further than Generation Z, as they possess the perfect blend of creativity and adaptability. Find out the 13 compelling reasons why Generation Z is an ideal fit for your freelance business in our insightful piece on 13 Reasons Generation Z Is Perfect for Your Freelance Business.

4. Gen Zers Want To Start Their Own Businesses

Gen Zers are more entrepreneurial than previous generations.

You may have heard that Gen Zers love to work for themselves, but did you know that they also want to start their own business? It’s true!

In fact, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in 2017 alone, nearly 150,000 young people started businesses a 9 percent increase from 2016 and a record high for entrepreneurship across all age groups.

And it’s not just because of the economy; these numbers are projected to grow in 2020 as well.

The SBA reports that these young entrepreneurs are taking advantage of advancements in technology and social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, which have allowed them “to build networks with potential customers without leaving home.”

In addition, they’ve been inspired by celebrities such as Kylie Jenner who have built successful companies out of nothing more than their ideas and hard work alone which makes you wonder if those old stereotypes about Gen Z being lazy slackers are really true after all!

5. More Women Than Men In Generation Z See Themselves As Entrepreneurs

You may think that Generation Z is a bunch of savvy, young entrepreneurs and, you’d be right. But what you might not realize is that they’re women more often than men.

According to a study by Bentley University in Massachusetts and the Freelancers Union, 91% of women in Generation Z see themselves as entrepreneurs compared to 79% of men.

Additionally, more women than men are self-employed (18% vs 15%) and freelancers (7% vs 4%).

6. You Can’t Buy A Gen Zer’s Loyalty With Benefits

If you want to attract and keep Generation Zers, you can’t buy their loyalty with benefits. They’re more concerned about the quality of their work than the quantity of their pay.

In fact, when asked what would make them stay at a job for more than a year, most said it depends on whether they feel like they’re growing and developing in their roles.

They also care about making a difference a career path that will allow them to do that is something many Gen Zers are seeking out.

As one participant in our survey told us: “I’m not interested in working for just any company; I want there to be an element of ‘why am I doing this?’ There needs to be an impactful cause behind what we do.”

So if your company isn’t focused on solving big problems or providing meaningful solutions, it might be time for some soul searching before thinking about hiring Generation Z talent!

Achieving success in the freelance economy can be a daunting task, especially for Generation Z. However, with the right tips and strategies, they can thrive in this competitive landscape. Dive into our article on 15 Tips to Help Gen Z Achieve Success in the Freelance Economy to discover valuable insights and guidance for Gen Z freelancers.

7. Generation Z Doesn’t Crave The Traditional Office Environment

Generation Z is more likely to work remotely than Millennials and Baby Boomers, according to a study by the Global Workplace Analytics.

In fact, one third of Gen Zers say they work from home at least some of the time, and another third say they do so regularly. That’s double the rate of Millennials in this area (18%).

According to Gallup’s State of the American Workplace report, Generation Z workers are also more likely than other age groups to be self-employed:

14% versus 6%. And while most people think that freelancing is best suited for younger generations (like millennials or Gen Xers).

It could be that older generations are actually better suited for freelancing since they can bring decades worth of professional experience with them into their freelance career especially if they already have established businesses before becoming independent contractors.

8. Generation Z Loves The Freedom Of Working Remotely

You may have heard that Gen Zers aren’t very interested in a traditional work environment, but did you know that this generation is also making remote work a priority?

We asked over 700 freelancers about their preferences for working remotely. It turns out that the majority of Generation Z freelancers (89 percent) prefer to work from home or on-the-go rather than from an office.

This means they’re likely to have flexibility in their schedules, and fewer distractions from coworkers or bosses. The ability to manage your time more effectively and set your own goals is one reason why so many Gen Z freelancers are choosing remote positions.

Another major benefit of working remotely? Travel! When you don’t have an office building nearby, there’s no need to rush home after work every day so you can spend more time exploring new places and growing as a person outside of your 9-to-5 career responsibilities.

And while saving money sounds dull compared with travel dreams, it turns out saving money is another reason why Generation Z loves working remotely so much because they want more freedom over how they spend their income!

9. The Newest Generation Prioritizes Wellness Over Office Perks

Gen Zers want to work in a healthy environment. If you’re planning on hiring any Gen Zers, be sure your office has a water cooler and not just free coffee.

The younger generations are more likely to be interested in wellness perks than the older ones even if it means they have to pay for them out of their own pockets.

They also care about environmental issues. According to a study by LinkedIn, 42% of respondents said they’d choose an environmentally friendly workplace over one with great benefits (22%), flexible hours (21%), or free food (16%).

In fact, 44% said that working for an eco-friendly company would increase their chances of staying there permanently.

They want to exercise during work hours too! A recent Harvard Business Review article noted that “more than half of millennials say they’re more likely than nonmillennials to exercise during work hours.”

Generation Z has its own unique experiences and perspectives that set them apart. If you want to understand the world through their eyes, explore our captivating piece on Things That Only Generation Z Will Understand, and gain a deeper appreciation for the generation shaping the freelance landscape.

10. Gen Z Has A Strong Desire For Flexibility And Autonomy When It Comes To Work

Let’s face it, Generation Z is all about flexibility. They want to be able to work from home, or anywhere for that matter. Gen Zers want to be able to choose the hours they work and take time off when they need it.

Why? Because this generation has seen how much their parents struggle with their 9-to-5 jobs and having little control over their schedules. It makes sense then that these folks would value work flexibility so highly as well!

11. Freelancing Appeals To Gen Zers Because It Allows Them To Set Their Own Schedules

Gen Zers are no different. They want their work to feel like an extension of themselves, and they don’t necessarily want to be stuck in a brick-and-mortar office all day long. Freelancing allows them to keep their schedule as flexible as they want or need it to be.

With freelance work, Gen Zers can choose when they want to work (during the day or at night), where they want to do their work (from home or from another country) and even how much time they want to dedicate each week on a project before moving onto the next one.

Gen Zers love being able to set their own schedules because it gives them the freedom that most other generations haven’t had for many years now and this is what makes freelancing so appealing for them!

12. Gen Zers Want Their Bosses To Act Like Coaches, Not Dictators

You may be surprised to find out how Gen Zers want to be treated at work. They don’t want to be bossed around, and they certainly don’t want to be given orders like the soldiers of old.

The generation that has been called “the most entrepreneurial in history” wants their bosses to act more like coaches than dictators.

In fact, according to a survey by Millennial Branding, nearly three-quarters of Gen Zers said they’d prefer an employer with a collaborative culture over one that has a top-down management style (76%).

So what’s the best way for managers and leaders to foster this culture? Managing by example is key: if you’re a hands-on leader who treats employees as equals and encourages them through coaching and mentorship instead of micromanaging everything they do on the job.

Then your team will mirror this behavior back at you and everyone will benefit from it!

13. Instagram Is The Most Popular Platform For Young Freelancers

There are a lot of platforms to choose from when you’re trying to reach potential clients. The most popular platform for young freelancers is Instagram, followed by Twitter, Snapchat and LinkedIn.

This doesn’t surprise me because Instagram has the highest number of users between the ages of 18-29 (at least in Canada).

There are also some interesting differences in what each platform offers:

On Twitter, you can use hashtags to categorize your posts and find similar content that might be relevant to the audience you’re targeting.

Plus, it gives you access to a huge community where people can share their thoughts and experiences with each other through replies or direct messages (DMs).

Facebook groups function similarly but require more commitment from members since they have to join before participating but once they do join.

There’s no limit on how many times someone can post within one group at once like there would be if someone just used regular Facebook comments instead!

14. Addictions To Social Medias

If you’re a freelancer who wants to work for yourself, it’s important to remember that not only are you competing with other freelancers, but also Generation Z.

This generation is known for being addicted to social media and technology, and there are many reasons why this could be bad news for your business. For example:

They have unprecedented access to information about everything from jobs to freelance opportunities.
They’re aware of what they want out of their careers now—and no one is going to tell them how or where they should do it!
They may already be working as full-time freelancers because their parents can no longer afford housing costs in major cities (or anywhere).

In short: if you want your business to succeed in today’s economy, then you’ll need an effective marketing strategy that focuses on Generation Z’s unique needs as well as yours!

15. 72% Of Generation Zers Use YouTube

In contrast to the older generations, Generation Z doesn’t just use this platform to watch videos—they also spend time on it to learn something new. According to Forbes, 57% of Gen Zers have looked up information about a product or service online in the last six months.

In fact, 64% have learned an important skill on YouTube! This is why it’s so important for businesses that sell products or services especially those that target younger audiences to consider their presence on YouTube (and other social media platforms).

Freelancing may seem like a dream career, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. Discover why freelancing can be surprisingly difficult and gain valuable strategies to overcome these obstacles in our article on Why Freelancing Is Surprisingly Difficult and How to Deal With It. Equip yourself with the knowledge and resilience needed to thrive in the freelance world.

16. Email Is The Least Popular Communication Method Among Gen Zers

Email is not the most popular communication method among Gen Zers. In fact, Gen Zers prefer to communicate via social media, text messaging, video chat and in-person meetings. We can tell you what’s working best by looking at our own data.

While email remains a top choice for many companies communicating with Gen X or Baby Boomers (55% of people over 50 still use email), it has fallen out of favor with younger audiences like Millennials (29%) and Gen Z (11%).

16. Generation Z Wants More Flexible Work Options

According to a FlexJobs survey, 74 percent of Gen Zers want more flexible work options. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they want to leave their jobs and become freelancers, but it does show a desire for more flexibility in the workplace.

For example, many people might not consider working from home or remotely as part of their job responsibilities. But let’s be real: sometimes you can’t avoid it maybe you have an emergency at home and need to go there.

Or maybe you need some personal time outside your normal working hours because something out of the ordinary has happened in your life (like someone just died).

Whatever the case may be, Gen Zers know that flexibility is key when it comes to happiness at work and if freelancing fits into this concept of flexibility better than any other type of job does? Well then what’s stopping them?

Conclusion

What this means for freelancers? The biggest takeaway from all this data is how much Gen Zers value the freedom and flexibility that comes with freelance work. If you’re considering freelancing, then approaching members of this generation can mean a lot of potential clients. While many people in Generation X and Baby Boomers are still skeptical about remote work, the younger generation has grown up with it as an option. When they see other people working remotely, they will want to do the same.

The key here is to be present on the platforms and networks that they use most often Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and to show them how you could help them achieve their business goals through freelancing or doing contract work for your company.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Generation Z and the freelance economy:

What defines Generation Z?

Generation Z refers to individuals born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s. They are characterized by their digital nativeness, diverse backgrounds, and unique values shaped by their experiences.

How is Generation Z influencing the workforce?

Generation Z is entering the workforce with a fresh perspective and a strong desire for flexibility and purpose-driven work. They are challenging traditional work models and pushing for more remote work and freelance opportunities.

What are the advantages of hiring Generation Z freelancers?

Generation Z freelancers bring a unique set of skills, including digital fluency, adaptability, and creativity. They can offer fresh ideas and a deep understanding of emerging trends, making them valuable assets for businesses.

How can Generation Z freelancers achieve success in the competitive market?

To succeed as a Generation Z freelancer, it’s crucial to develop a strong personal brand, build a diverse skill set, and leverage digital platforms for networking and self-promotion. Continuous learning and adaptability are also key in this fast-paced landscape.

What are the key trends shaping the freelance economy?

The freelance economy is witnessing several key trends, including the rise of remote work, the gig economy, and the increasing demand for specialized skills. Understanding these trends can help freelancers navigate the market and stay competitive.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.

17 Surprising Things You’ll Learn About Generation Z And Freelancing