With the arrival of 2018 comes the arrival of 2017 high school grads—also known as gen z. This is the first wave of this generation joining the workforce and, just like with any generation, it’s important to make an effort to cater to the right ones. The hiring methods commonly used for previous generations may not be the best approach with this group. Think of these talking points for hiring gen z when making any moves toward new hires.
Remember what makes them tick—both in a positive and a negative way. There are three talking points to try that will really peak their interest:
- How your company’s work benefits the larger world
- Employee benefits that affect them now
- Customized career paths
This generation is willing to talk careers right now. They aren’t just looking for simple side jobs.
Tailor the hiring process toward answering their questions. During the interview, you need to sell them your organization just as much as they are selling you their talents. Gen Z knows their capabilities and worth, and won’t hesitate to look somewhere else if you don’t seem to be showing an appropriate level of esteem for their talent. It is important for them to receive the who, what, when, where, why, and how of what they’re getting into. Your conversation should cover the following points:
- Where they will start
- The short-term goals they are expected to meet
- The skills they will acquire from this position
- Where their role will lead them in a year
The search for candidates that entered the market in 2017 can be fierce. But, as long as you’re willing to take the necessary steps, you can stay a step ahead of the competition and score the best talent.
