What Freelancers From Generation Z Want From Their Career

Freelancers are quite a diverse bunch, so it can be hard to generalize. Generation Z the demographic born between 1997 and 2012 are starting to venture out into the world of work and becoming freelancers, so what is it that they want in a career?

We’ve put together our findings on what Gen Z want from their careers based on research and interviews done with freelancers across different industries.

What Gen Z college grads are looking for in a career

Takeaways
Generation Z freelancers seek career flexibility.
Work-life balance is crucial for Gen Z freelancers.
Opportunities for professional growth are desired.
Gen Z freelancers value meaningful and impactful work.
Embracing remote work options is a top priority.
Independence and autonomy are essential for them.
A positive work culture is a significant consideration.

Table of Contents

1. Passion-Led Careers

Passion is what drives your professional journey. It’s your reason for being and the force that keeps you going every day. Passion is the reason why it’s so easy to get out of bed in the morning, because you know exactly why you’re doing what you do: because of your passion!

Passion is also one of the most important aspects when considering a new career path or job opportunity.

If we are not passionate about something, then why would we want to spend our time doing it? The answer is simple – we wouldn’t want to waste our time with something we aren’t passionate about!

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2. Space For Creativity

Freelancers want their careers to be creative and engaging. For Generation Z, this means having the freedom to pursue projects that are interesting and meaningful, rather than being forced into working on something they don’t care about.

They want flexibility in the work they do and how they do it. This can include opportunities for remote work (where employees work outside of a traditional office setting), or even just getting more time off from your job in order to travel on your own time.

Finally, freelancers also want a chance at diversity: whether that means working on different types of projects or having an opportunity like apprenticeship programs where you can learn new skills from a mentor or expert in your field.

3. Independence

Freelancers from Generation Z want independence.

The concept of independence is a key factor for freelancers and entrepreneurs, who want to be free from constraints by their employers or client.

This is especially true for freelancers from Generation Z. They don’t like being told what to do or how to do it, which is why they prefer to work on their terms and at their own pace.

Saying “no” to clients can be challenging for freelancers, but having well-crafted email templates can ease the process. Explore our collection of sample emails to help freelancers say no to clients and maintain healthy professional boundaries.

4. Travel Opportunities

If you’re a freelancer and have ever mentioned your desire to travel, you know the reaction it often gets: “Why don’t you just get a job?” or “You can do that as a freelancer.”

But if travel is a big motivator for you, then it’s worth considering whether or not working for yourself will give you the flexibility and freedom to do so.

Freelance work has its benefits over traditional employment in terms of work-life balance, which includes time off, flexible hours, and the ability to live near family members.

Freelancing also gives workers more control over their career path, for example, they can choose their clients rather than having clients assigned based on their title within an organization.

And provides opportunities for growth outside of one’s current position before making a move into new territory professionally.

5. Better Work-Life Balance

A flexible schedule is a major perk of working at home. You can wake up whenever you want and take breaks when the mood strikes you or not take breaks at all!

You can eat lunch while watching Netflix on your couch, or even start an episode before work and continue it after work if you get too distracted by other things during the day.

There are some perks to being in an office: having coworkers around for socialization, running into people you know on your commute, and taking advantage of free coffee machines and free snacks as fuel for long hours of work.

If those were valued more than flexibility, freelancers wouldn’t be leaving offices in droves!

While working from home may seem like a dreamy idea with limited drawbacks (such as no access to photocopiers).

There are still some things about this lifestyle that can make it less appealing namely the lack of structure and socialization opportunities compared with working in an office environment.

For example, if you’re just starting and need some guidance from experienced people who have been doing what they do longer than anyone else has been alive…

It’s hard to find someone who will be able to give them any advice because everyone else has their own set goals/dreams/goals as well.

Ever wondered why freelancers often earn more than traditional employees? Unravel the reasons behind this phenomenon in our comprehensive analysis on why freelancers are paid more than employees.

6. More Remote-Friendly Policies

In the past, employers have been more accommodating to employees working from home. With Generation Z on the rise, this trend is likely to continue.

For example, one company that offers remote-friendly policies is FullContact. According to their website:

The ability to work remotely means being able to work from anywhere you choose!

That might be your home office or a nearby coffee shop where you can focus on your work without distraction or it might mean that you’re always ready for an impromptu meeting or conference call with coworkers in New York City or San Francisco.

7. Freedom Of Choice

You love to work independently and you expect the same flexibility from your employer. You don’t want to be micromanaged or have someone looking over your shoulder, so being able to choose when, where, and how you work is important for your mental health.

In addition to freedom of choice regarding when and where you work, it’s also important for Gen Z freelancers to have freedom of choice when it comes to who they work with.

You prefer working in environments where there are multiple generations present because this helps keep things interesting!

This means that if a job requires too much time away from home or too many late nights out of town at conferences, it’s probably not going to be appealing enough for Gen Z freelancers like yourself.

8. Self-Fulfilment

This is a big one for Gen Z, who have grown up with the internet and social media. They’re all about self-fulfillment, whether it’s through travel or being able to volunteer in their community.

They must have an outlet where they feel like they’re making a difference, or else they’ll get bored quickly.

One way you can help foster this kind of environment is by offering flexible schedules and work-from-home days.

This will allow your employees to have to time off without worrying about losing out on paychecks just because they wanted some extra time with family or friends (or even just sleeping in).

9. Discounts

Discounts. Freelancers, like every other generation, want to save money. According to the study, they’d appreciate discounts on products and services (43%), meals (39%), travel expenses (35%), entertainment expenses (28%), and health/wellness costs (26%).

Education. With a growing interest in continuing education, freelancers from Gen Z believe it’s important for them to receive educational materials from their employers that can help them improve their professional skills or advance their careers.

In addition to formalized training programs, freelancers want their employers to provide access to resources such as webinars or online learning courses as well as books on career development topics such as negotiation tactics or resume writing techniques.

Legal Services. Generation Z freelancers want legal services provided by employers including insurance coverage for civil rights claims due to discrimination based on ageism; disability;

Gender identity; ethnicity/race; military status; pregnancy; sexual orientation or veteran status while they are working remotely or traveling away from home

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10. Company Culture

Maybe you’ve heard the term “company culture” thrown around, but you might not know exactly what it means. In short, company culture is the way people do business within an organization.

It’s how things are done and why they’re done that way and it can have a significant impact on employee satisfaction.

A strong company culture encourages innovation and growth by creating an environment where employees feel valued, respected, connected to their work, and appreciated by leadership.

A bad one may be toxic for employees who find themselves in constant conflict with their managers or coworkers; others may find themselves spending more time worrying about office drama than doing their job well!

There are many ways to measure your company’s culture: surveys of existing employees can help gauge how satisfied they are with their experiences at work;

Cultural audits give insight into whether there are any major disconnects between management expectations and employee behavior;

Anonymous pay-for-performance reviews allow everyone involved from executives down to hourly workers to provide input on how each person feels they contribute or detract from success in other areas like customer service or quality assurance.

11. Opportunities For Self-Improvement

Generation Z is a generation of learners. They want to be able to expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the industry they are working in.

As freelancers, they need opportunities to learn more about the industry they will be working in as well as opportunities to learn new skills like coding or graphic design.

Generation Z also has an interest in learning new languages such as French and Spanish which can give them a competitive edge over other generations.

Freelance work provides many opportunities for self-improvement because there is so much information available online that can help you do your job better and faster than before!

12. Flexible Working Hours

If you’re a freelancer, you probably already know how crucial it is to have flexible working hours. Gen Z-ers don’t want to be tied down to an office 9–5 schedule, so they prefer the option of working remotely or at home, which allows them to work when they want and where they want.

They also enjoy having the flexibility of being able to switch up their location throughout the week if needed whether that means going into an office on certain days or working from a coffee shop on others!

13. Entrepreneurial Values

The entrepreneurial spirit is strong in Generation Z. It’s not just a matter of starting their businesses, but also have some control over their careers as well. They want to be able to make decisions that they feel are important and know that they can succeed on their terms.

These values extend into the workplace as well:

Be your boss – Be able to set your hours and take time off when you need it
Make your own decisions – Have control over how you do things, even if it means taking risks or deviating from what’s expected
Work from home – This generation grew up with technology being readily available at all times and aren’t afraid of doing work remotely

14. Health & Well-Being Incentives

In addition to the standard benefits that come with a job, freelancers want companies to offer them access to health and wellness programs.

These are often referred to as “wellness” programs, but the actual terminology is less important than the overall idea of having your employer take an interest in your health and well-being and go so far as to reward you for it.

Wellness programs are designed for employers, employees, and companies alike: they provide employees with resources that help them take care of their bodies;

They also motivate people (employees or not) who might otherwise be unhealthy into making positive lifestyle changes; and finally, they help employers save money on future healthcare costs by reducing demand for medical services now.

15. Job Security

It’s the ultimate goal for almost any job-seeker, and it can mean a lot of different things to different people.

To some, job security means having a guarantee that they’ll always have a paycheck coming in; to others, it’s about feeling secure in their position like they won’t be let go or fired at any moment without warning.

For freelancers from generation Z (the cohort born after 1996) who envision themselves working remotely full time or part time as freelancers one day when they’re not busy with school or work that doesn’t allow them to travel.

Job security might look like having flexibility in scheduling so they can keep up with their responsibilities elsewhere while also making enough money doing what they love: creating art and writing code by themselves at home!

Freelancing has become a transformative force in the business world, impacting industries in profound ways. Dive into the details of this paradigm shift by reading our exploration of how freelancing is changing the face of business.

16. Loyalty

Gen Z freelancers need to be loyal to their employers. They expect the same in return. They want to be treated well, and they expect to be rewarded for their loyalty.

For example, a freelancer may work an extra hour on a project if it means getting paid overtime or receiving some other benefit such as free office supplies or access to the company gym during off-hours.

17. Workplace Environment

The workplace environment is one of the most important factors when it comes to whether or not you’re happy with your job. It’s not just about having a nice view or being able to eat lunch while overlooking the city. You also want to feel comfortable in your workspace.

If you’re working from home, then there should be some sort of separation between your living space and working space it’s hard to get work done if you’re constantly tripping over toys and finding yourself distracted by pets wanting attention!

If you are lucky enough to have an office building as opposed to working out of your home entirely, then there are other things you will want from that office building as well:

Cleanliness

A clean workspace is essential for concentration and productivity (and good hygiene). Any surface where food might be prepared should be cleaned regularly, especially if people in your group bring food from home often (which I would recommend!).

But also any surfaces that could potentially hold germs like keyboards and computer mice need regular cleaning too!

Lighting

Natural light is best when possible but sometimes it isn’t feasible so make sure there is adequate artificial lighting throughout all areas where people spend time at their desks during the day;

This includes both overhead lights as well as task lighting near computers or other equipment used often throughout each shift (or even per person depending on how many hours they spend sitting at their desks).

Check out our article “The Importance Of Workplace Lighting” for tips on getting better lighting set up in different types of workspaces.”

18. Work perks

If you’re looking to attract new hires, it’s important to make sure your company offers a variety of work perks.

The Millennial generation has already made a big impact on workplace culture and as they continue to grow in number, they’re starting to look like an outlier.

As research shows, younger generations are more likely than ever before to decide where they want to work based on what their employer offers them aside from just their paycheck.

That means that you need to keep up with the times and provide high-quality benefits like these:

Free food (with healthy options)
Free drinks (including alcohol)
A gym membership for employees who are onsite during business hours
Parking spots for those who drive in every day

19. Learning

Learning is a big part of life for Gen Z-ers. They want to learn new skills, improve their current ones and explore career paths that they never considered before.

Whether it’s learning how to do something better at work or exploring different ways of making money, this generation wants to be constantly learning so they can have the best experience possible in their career.

20. Empowerment

Empowerment is about giving employees the freedom to make decisions, the opportunity to learn, grow and develop, and the chance to take ownership of their work and make a difference.

It’s also something that can be practiced at any level of an organization. If you’re an employee or manager who wants to empower your team members, here are some ideas for how you can do it:

Create opportunities for your employees to collaborate. This will give them more control over how they spend their time and allow them access to new skill sets that might not be available internally.

Provide opportunities for employees from different departments or divisions (or even locations) within your company to meet in person regularly so they’re on the same page about projects or initiatives in progress.

This will help build trust between teams as well as increase team morale across all areas of work within your organization and strengthen relationships between leaders at different levels of seniority too!

21. The Ability To Bring Passion To Their Work

Bringing passion to your work is crucial. You’ll feel more energized and fulfilled, and it will show in the quality of your work. To find your passion, think about what you love doing when you have to time off from work.

Are there activities that you look forward to doing? Do they involve other people or places? If so, try building a career around those things you might be surprised at how much more rewarding it can feel than a 9–5 job where the only thing motivating you is money.

22. Mentors

Mentors are a great way to learn new skills, find new opportunities, and develop your career. They can also help you build your network and find a mentor.

Mentors are people who have already been where you are trying to go and have already accomplished what you want to accomplish.

A mentor has deep expertise in an area that interests or excites you but they also know how to navigate the ups and downs of life, work, relationships, and more. So not only do mentor guide projects, they offer support when life throws curveballs too!

23. Competitive Pay

You’re in the driver’s seat, so to speak. You have the power to ask for more and get it. Once you’ve got a job offer, use these tactics to get yourself an even better deal:

Ask questions that show your interest in the company and its needs. For example, “What do you like about working here?” or “How do people here go about finding new clients?” This will help them see that you’re invested in what they do and not just looking for any old job.

You could even say something like, “With my background and experience, I think I can help grow this business.”

Show them why they need you and how much it’ll cost them if they don’t hire you (in terms of time wasted on interviews).

If there’s another candidate who’s competing with you for the same position but doesn’t seem as interested in getting hired as quickly as possible (or isn’t willing to negotiate), encourage HR.

Or whoever makes hiring decisions at this company by asking them questions like “How long does it usually take from when someone applies until they start working here?” or “How many candidates does it usually take before one gets hired?”

Then restate their answer back at them (“So if I’m not accepted into this program within six months after applying which seems unlikely because [insert persuasive argument] I’ll have wasted almost three years of my life trying.”).

It might sound harsh but remember: negotiations are supposed to be hard!

24. Connections With Like-Minded Individuals

The nature of freelancing means that you’re going to be working with a lot of different people. Some will be experienced, some will be new to it and some will just have completely different ideas about what you should be doing.

That’s why freelancers from Generation Z need to find like-minded individuals who are also interested in their career growth, rather than just those who can help them out with an immediate problem.

This gives you the chance to learn from each other and share experiences, knowledge, ideas, and resources as well as opportunities and goals – which are all things that contribute to building better relationships with your fellow freelance workers.

Sharing values or vision may even allow all participants involved (including many clients who want their work done) to feel more connected at a personal level too!

25. A Collaborative Environment

As a generation, we’re less interested in what’s been done before us and more interested in finding solutions that integrate our unique perspective.

With this collaborative mindset, we have the opportunity to create something truly new and exciting for ourselves, for the future of work, and the world at large.

As an individual who grew up in an era where collaboration was no longer a choice but rather an expectation (thanks to technology), I am not surprised by these findings at all.

I see them as validation of my own experiences: it is always more fulfilling when you work together with others toward a goal than alone with yourself.

26. A Sense Of Purpose

What is the meaning? What is the purpose? Are they the same thing?

Meaning and purpose are terms that get thrown around a lot, especially in the contemporary workplace.

We hear them used interchangeably and it can be confusing. It’s easy to forget that there is an actual definition of each word (which I have conveniently provided below). But what do these words mean for freelancers?

A sense of meaning comes from doing work you find fulfilling. If you enjoy your work as a writer, then writing articles on topics that interest you can be meaningful because it gives shape to your day-to-day activities.

Your readership may not be very large at first but if they like what they read then maybe they’ll share their experiences with others and before long, your small blog becomes well known in certain circles!

A sense of purpose comes from making a difference through your labor or the causes or products associated with those labors;

It involves contributing something significant to society beyond simply earning money for yourself alone so that there will always be someone else out there who needs help when things get hard.

27. The Ability To Make A Tangible Impact

Some people want to work in a traditional office environment where they can have face-to-face conversations with their coworkers.

They like the stability of having a paycheck every two weeks, and may even value the camaraderie that comes from working with people you know well. But others are looking for something different.

They want their work to mean something on a larger scale, whether it be making an actual difference or simply being proud of what they do.

This is one of those things that can only truly be experienced once you’re doing it and then again after your first few months on the job as you realize how much more fulfilling it was than your previous roles.

28. Responsibility

Generation Z (those born between 1998 and 2015) is the first generation to grow up in a world where technology is not just present but very much a part of their everyday lives.

For Gen Z, it’s more than just texting and Instagram; they are consumers of digital content, creators of digital content and they even design their apps.

When you hire a freelancer from this generation, you are hiring someone who understands how to use technology to get things done and they don’t need your help with that.

Employers need to remember that Gen Z workers are used to being independent and responsible for themselves in all aspects of their lives:

From managing their finances (which includes handling money management apps) to taking care of relationships with family members or friends.

This level of responsibility has given them confidence when dealing with issues related to working performance because they already have experience taking care of themselves as individuals first before worrying about others around them.

So if you’re looking for someone who will take ownership over their tasks then look no further than today’s young professionals!

29 Tech Up!

The freelance community is growing rapidly, and Generation Z is at the forefront. To help you get a better understanding of how this community thinks about their careers, we’ve asked them what they want from their work.

While we can’t tell you exactly what to do with that information (or if it’s even relevant to your business), some trends might help you understand where freelancers are coming from.

Here are some tech tools that freelancers find helpful:

Task management software – Task management software helps organize your tasks in a way that makes it easier for you to see everything that needs completion and have an idea of when those tasks will be completed.

This kind of software also lets other people who need access see what’s going on as well!

Project management platforms – If you’re managing multiple projects at once or working with others who need access to information about those projects, then project management platforms are essential for keeping everyone organized and on task!

Conclusion

Technology is king. If you want to make it as a freelancer no matter how old you are you need to be at the top of your technical game in terms of knowledge, skills, and qualifications.

FAQs

What are the career preferences of Generation Z?

Generation Z shows a strong inclination towards freelancing as a viable and attractive career option.

How does Gen Z view traditional employment?

While some Gen Z individuals may still value traditional employment, an increasing number prefer the flexibility and autonomy offered by freelancing.

What factors drive Gen Z employees to pursue freelancing?

Gen Z employees are drawn to freelancing for reasons such as work-life balance, independence, and the opportunity to explore diverse projects.

Is freelancing seen as a long-term career choice by Gen Z?

Yes, many individuals from Generation Z view freelancing as a long-term and sustainable career choice, offering them the freedom to shape their professional paths.

What do Gen Z workers prioritize in their job roles?

Gen Z workers prioritize factors like meaningful work, career growth opportunities, remote work options, and a positive work culture in their job roles.

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.