For years, the world has been divided into two camps. One camp believes that Millennials are the greatest generation since the Baby Boomers and that they will be able to solve any problem with the power of their collective hipsterness.
The other camp believes that Millennials are narcissistic, entitled snowflakes who can’t use a phone without texting an emoji. I am firmly in the second camp, but now we have a new generation to hate: Generation Z.
If you’re not familiar with Generation Z yet, don’t worry we’ll dive deep into it in this article. But if you’re wondering why we need a whole new generation right when millennials were just starting to get interesting, it’s because each passing year brings us closer to 2034:
The year when Gen Zers will outnumber every single other generation in American history combined. It’s time for us to get acquainted with them before they take over our world!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understanding Generation Z: Explore the characteristics and perspectives of Generation Z and how they shape the future workforce. |
| 2. Navigating the Gig Economy: Discover how Generation Z approaches freelancing and gig work as a viable career option. |
| 3. Embracing Technology: Learn how Generation Z’s tech-savvy nature influences their work preferences and communication styles. |
| 4. Building Work-Life Balance: Understand the importance of work-life balance for Generation Z and how it impacts their career decisions. |
| 5. Preparing for the Future: Gain insights into the changing landscape of work and how organizations can adapt to attract and retain Generation Z talent. |
They Have Never Lived Without The Internet
Unlike older generations, Gen Z’s have never lived without the internet. They have grown up with it and use it every day to communicate, learn and play.
In fact, according to research by PwC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2022 report, Generation Z spends an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes online per day – more than any other generation in history!
This is why marketers must understand how this generation uses technology so they can tailor their outreach efforts accordingly.
Generation Z also differs from previous generations in that many are not just active users they are creators as well.
As part of their media diet, Gen Z follows blogs written by peers or “influencers” who share information about topics they care about (such as fashion).
Because these writers often earn money based on page views rather than being compensated directly by advertisers (as traditional journalists are), their posts tend toward what might be called “entrepreneurial journalism.”
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Relying Heavily On Social Media And Texting
Generation Z is the first generation to have grown up with social media, and they rely heavily on it as a way to connect with friends, family, and other people their age. Generation Z uses social media more than any other generation by a large margin.
You can expect your Gen-Z employees to be highly engaged in social media during their free time as well as during work hours and that could mean trouble for you if you don’t have policies in place.
For example, if your company has recently implemented an email ban or phone silence policy (which is common in certain industries).
Your Gen-Z employees may try sneaking in texts when they think no one’s looking or posting on Instagram from their desktops while pretending that they’re working hard on something else entirely.
They Are Digital Natives
It’s been said that the average Gen Z-er is a digital native. These kids were born into a world where the internet was as natural and normal as oxygen. They have no real understanding of life without it and have never known any other way to do things.
This means that they’re comfortable using technology, whether it’s an app or devices like their phone or an online service such as social media or shopping sites on their computer at home or school (which many Gen Zers are allowed to bring to class).
In fact, according to this article by Business Insider, 80% of teens use their phones during class every day! It also means they can navigate all these technologies with ease and don’t need much instruction from adults to do so in most cases;
They just pick up on how things work as they go along when trying out new apps or websites for the first time.”
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They Are Obsessed With Their Smartphones
Do you know that feeling you get when you’re at the beach, or on a hike with your friends and everyone starts taking photos? That feeling of being left out? Generation Z doesn’t have to feel that way anymore.
Their phones allow them to connect with anyone anywhere. They can text, call or Snapchat their friends from anywhere in the world (except maybe North Korea).
Their phones are also used for music and games they listen to their favorite songs on Spotify while playing Candy Crush Saga or Fortnite: Battle Royale.
They Tend To Be Entrepreneurial, Independent, And Resourceful
It’s not just the kids who are different this time around. Your parents are likely to be a whole lot more involved in your life than they were in theirs. And while that might seem like a good thing at first, there are also some potential downsides to it as well.
The main difference is that Gen Zers tend to be entrepreneurial, independent, and resourceful. They grew up during an economic downturn in which jobs were scarce, making it difficult for their parents to provide for them.
As such, they learned how to fend for themselves at an early age by working odd jobs or taking on tasks around the house in exchange for financial support from their parents.
And this prepared them well for adulthood where finding employment isn’t always easy (especially if you’re not applying yourself).
Politically Aware, Socially Aware, And Culturally Aware
If you were to ask the average member of Generation Z to name two political figures, they would be able to tell you the names of their country’s leader and their congressional representative.
They would also know who is in charge at city hall, how many terms that person has been in office, and what age they are. But if you were then to ask them if they could name two pop culture icons, chances are high that they wouldn’t be able to answer.
That’s because Gen Z doesn’t see politics as separate from entertainment; it’s all a part of the same thing for them.
“Gen Z has grown up with 24-hour news coverage,” says Skyler Williams, co-founder & CEO of Youth Culture Vote (YCV). “They’ve been exposed to so much information about everything going on around them politics included.”
The other thing about this generation is that they have embraced social media like never before. In fact, according to Pew Research Center research from 2018: 77% think it’s important to use social media for civic engagement;
79% check Facebook regularly; 55% follow local news outlets on Twitter or Instagram; 51% follow local news stations on Facebook; 42% use Twitter daily or almost daily (compared with 18% among Gen Xers);
36% call themselves politically engaged via their postings or retweets compared with 15% among Boomers/Silent generations (ages 52-71)
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Gen Z Has A More Homespun Appearance Than Millennials Did At The Same Age
You might be surprised to learn that the generation that has been accused of being more entitled than any other is far more self-reliant. Gen Zers are less likely to wear designer brands, makeup, or jewelry and they prefer clothes that are practical over flashy.
There’s been a significant decrease in spending on clothing and accessories among Gen Zers (Gen Zers spent $43 billion on clothing and accessories in 2017 compared with $57 billion by millennials).
This makes sense because when you look at how Gen Z grew up, it’s easy to see why they would want something different from what millennials enjoyed as kids.
They’re growing up in an economy where getting a job after college is an uphill battle for many graduates and finding work isn’t always easy even if you do have a degree under your belt;
They’ve seen their parents struggle through recessions so they value hard work more than ever before; they experienced 9/11 when they were very young (and maybe even had family members who died) which made them hyper-aware of the world around them;
Many come from families with stay-at-home moms who didn’t have time for anything but making sure everyone was fed and clothed so this generation knows what it’s like not having money while also wanting nice things too!
They Are Cautious About Spending Money, Even Though They Are Almost As Brand-Obsessed As Millennials Were At Their Age
One thing that Generation Z has in common with millennials is their love of brands. They know how to spot a good deal, and they know how to save money.
They’re more cautious about spending money than millennials were at their age. In a recent survey from Visa, only 27% of Gen Z respondents said they had ever used a credit card compared with 42% for Millennials when they were the same age (18-24).
But there may be a reason for hope: these days, more than half use debit cards instead of cash for everyday purchases!
This is an encouraging trend for retailers looking to target older customers who prefer not having so much cash on hand but still want control over their spending habits as well as access to rewards programs like those offered by banks or credit unions.
Gen Z Is More Diverse Than Any Other Generation In America’s History
If you’re a Gen Z, you were born between the mid-90s and the early 2000s. If you’re not a Gen Z yet (you’re probably not), your kids will most likely be part of this generation. And if they are, they’ll be more diverse than any other generation in American history.
That’s right Gen Z is America’s most diverse generation. With 22% Latino children, 18% African American children, and 15% Asian American children (compared to 13% Hispanic/Latino, 12% Black/African American, and 5% Asian Americans for Millennials).
It’s easy to see why so many marketers have their eye on this group as an untapped resource for brand loyalty and customer base building.
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Gen Z Values Self-Expression Above Stereotyped Norms
As a result, Gen Z is an independent generation that values self-expression over stereotypical norms. You might be familiar with some of these stereotypes: they’re spoiled, materialistic, entitled, and narcissistic. But this isn’t the case at all.
Gen Z has grown up in a digital age where they have access to information at their fingertips and they can see how far the world reaches and it’s not just their country or even continent anymore.
They are more aware than any other generation that we live in a global community where social issues affect us all; therefore, Gen Z has become more socially conscious and empathetic towards others’ experiences than previous generations were at this age.
Gen Z Is Far More Likely Than Older Americans To Think The Economy Is “Rigged” Against Them
According to a new study, Gen Z is far more likely than older Americans to think the economy is “rigged” against them.
The report, released by NextGen America, shows that Gen Z is more likely to think the economy is rigged against them than any other generation in America’s history.
This finding suggests that young people are less optimistic about their future job prospects and financial stability than previous generations were at this age.
This could have long-term implications for our country’s economic stability if these feelings of hopelessness persist among young adults as they grow into adulthood and begin families of their own.
For Them, Social Media Is An Integral Part Of Their Friendships
Social media is the glue that holds their relationships together. With social media, you can stay connected with family and friends.
Keep in touch with people you know and people you don’t know, and communicate back and forth about anything from homework to hobbies to family events.
Generation Z also sees social media as a way to learn more about others’ interests and passions and this can be especially valuable for communicating with older generations who are busy or far away (or both).
They see it as a way of connecting with anyone in any part of the world.
They Will Soon Outnumber Every Other Generation In America’s History
You may not have noticed it yet, but they are already here. They are the largest generation in American history, and their numbers are greater than any other single age group. They sit at nearly 30% of the entire population.
If you were to take all of those under 18 years old in America today (that’s over 40 million people) and combine them into one group… it would still be smaller than Generation Z!
According to Pew Research Center data released this week:
- Generation Z is more diverse than any other generation in America’s history;
- Generation Z has a higher rate of educational attainment than any other generation in America’s history; and
- Generation Z has a higher rate of political awareness than any other generation in America’s history
Generational Distinctions May Be Meaningless
- “I never want to be a statistic,” says Alexia K., a Gen Z high school student from California.
- The story of Alexia’s generation is one of the most dramatic in American history.
The most diverse generation in U.S. history made up of nearly equal numbers of non-white and white children is also the most educated and entrepreneurial Americans ever raised on this continent.
“They’re not just aware; they’re empowered by their status as tomorrow’s leaders,” says Anne Coe, who leads research at [Gen Z] leadership development firm Tomorrow Today Labs.]
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Conclusion
Now that we’ve covered some of the defining factors of Gen Z, you may be wondering about how to apply your new knowledge.
Whether it’s to build a stronger relationship with a child, grandchild, student, or friend from this generation or simply to inform your journey through life as a Boomer, X-er, or Millennial we believe that every interaction with another person is a learning opportunity.
And now that you know more about Gen Z including their values, strengths, and challenges you can use what you’ve learned in the way best suited for you.
Further Reading
Generations and Tomorrow’s Gen Z Academic Workforce: A deep dive into understanding the characteristics and expectations of Generation Z in the academic workforce.
Welcome to the Land of Tomorrow: Millennials vs. Generation Z at Work: A comparison of Millennials and Generation Z in the workplace, exploring their unique approaches to work and career development.
How to Understand and Manage Generation Z: Practical tips and insights on effectively understanding and managing Generation Z employees in the modern workforce.
FAQs
What are the key traits of Generation Z in the workplace?
Generation Z is known for its tech-savviness, adaptability, and desire for meaningful work. They value work-life balance and seek opportunities for growth and development.
How can organizations attract and retain Generation Z talent?
To attract and retain Generation Z talent, organizations should offer flexible work arrangements, provide opportunities for skill development, and create a positive and inclusive work culture.
How does Generation Z differ from Millennials in terms of work preferences?
Generation Z tends to prioritize stability and financial security in their career choices, while Millennials are known for seeking purpose-driven work and opportunities for creativity.
What challenges do managers face when leading a multi-generational team that includes Generation Z?
Managers may encounter challenges in bridging communication gaps and understanding different work styles among team members from various generations, including Generation Z.
How can employers leverage technology to engage Generation Z employees?
Employers can leverage technology by adopting digital communication tools and platforms that facilitate collaboration, feedback, and knowledge sharing, which align with Generation Z’s preference for tech-enabled work environments.
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.
