Finding a job that matches your skills isn’t as difficult as you might think. As a member of Gen Z, you have a world of opportunities for a career in many different industries. 

The must-have job qualities that matter to you are somewhat new to employers. As the most racially and ethnically diverse generation ever, you have different expectations around your career, including the desire to find meaningful work. It’s also clear that you have little tolerance for jobs that don’t leverage technology efficiently. 

Members of Gen Z want to find a job that matches their skills, passion, and goals. Many companies are adapting to the latest generation of workers and addressing their wants and requirements. So, how does a Gen Z job-seeker like you find the right role at the right company? And what are the persistent challenges that college and career readiness programs like the Real World of Work (RWoW) can solve?

 

 

What Matters to Gen Z Workers

Currently, Gen Z makes up one-fifth of the U.S. population, which means more and more are entering the job market. They have similarities and differences with millennials, who comprise the largest working demographic

In determining what matters to members of Gen Z most in their careers, money was the top answer. However, they also care about work-life goals, flexibility, perks, and benefits. They also want to work for companies that share their values, and 77 percent of Gen Z survey respondents said this was important. They also put a lot of stock into an organization’s inclusion and diversity initiatives.

When a Gen Zer becomes disillusioned with their job, and it becomes clear the organization doesn’t meet their needs, they will exit. In fact, 40 percent of them plan to leave their employers within two years. 

Because of all these factors, Gen Z’s entire approach to job seeking differs from previous generations. Unfortunately, the methods for finding this type of career haven’t evolved. That’s frustrating to a generation that seeks innovation in how they interact with employers. They embrace technology and are very open to using it to find a job that matches their skills.

 

Gen Z Wants Direction for Their Next Steps

Gen Z workers want a fulfilling career with a livable wage and a culture that’s modern and welcoming. They are aware of mistakes to avoid, seeing their parents struggle with student debt and facing challenging job markets. Instead, they want to know that an investment in higher education will be worth it and that the skills they learn and hone will be attractive to employers.

If they decide to go to college, they want direction early on how to align skills, passions, and goals to a specific career path. They don’t want to be left to figure it out, and that’s why college and career readiness programs can be instrumental in helping them navigate what comes next. 

 

Gen Z Job Searches Early but May Take Detours

One thing the data says about Gen Z is that members of this generation are aware of the job search journey and are proactive in applying for work that seems to be a good fit. A survey found that 25 percent began job searching during the first two years of college

However, that doesn’t mean the path to a career is linear. Rather, the process may go through many cycles of learning and discovery about careers and their skills. What are the keys to helping members of Gen Z be more confident in their job search? The right guidance and tools. 

 

Strategies for Gen Z to Match Their Talent with the Right Career

How do you, as a member of Gen Z, find a job that’s the best fit for you

You can revolutionize your career journey with these strategies:

  • Define your job goals and track them: You can stay motivated and focused when you have a target in mind.
  • Create a unique talent profile: Resumes are becoming obsolete, with online talent profiles becoming more vital.
  • Leverage virtual reality to “try” before you buy into a career track: Get a glimpse of what a job would entail before making it your objective.
  • Seek out internship opportunities: Those who intern have a higher chance to gain full-time employment, often at the company where they interned.
  • Get a career coach: Working with an expert helps you define skills and work-life goals. 
  • Talk to those in the industry you want to pursue: Seek out those with real-world experience and get their take on the field. 
  • Make connections to get referrals: Networking and building relationships is a great path to finding rewarding work. 
  • Stop only posting resumes on job boards: Discover what jobs best match your skills as you enter the real world of work


Many of these strategies are available through pepelwerk’s Real World of Work Program. Explore what it offers today by joining, and find a job that matches your skills.

 

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