There’s a lot of talk on the Internet about Gen Z. With a whole different set of ideals and life goals than older generations, Gen Z has often been opting for interesting or challenging jobs, for example, versus a position that pays well. Though this generation offers unique skills to their workplace, studies show that they’re also coming to their jobs less prepared in certain aspects – particularly in the United States. Learn how exactly Gen Z is falling behind and use these shortcomings to inspire you to improve your soft skills and continue your education beyond university.
What skills do employers want that Gen Z lack?
1. Communication and collaboration.
Data from Fortune's Harris Poll reveals that Gen Z is fully aware of the pitfalls in their communication with 65% admitting they don't know what to talk about with their co-workers. This isn't unsurprising considering Gen Z is entering the workforce post-COVID pandemic and are used to using digital communication rather than in-person discussions. They struggle to relate to their co-workers who had built relationships and interpersonal skills prior to 2020.
A lack of communication skills can lead to regular misunderstandings in the workplace and poor collaboration with team members. To become more valuable members of the workforce, Gen Z should work on improving their conversation, ask questions, mindful listening, and adapting their tone to suit their working environment.
2. Conflict resolution.
This is directly linked to Gen Z's lack of communication skills. Without effective communication skills, their ability for conflict resolution is nil. Gen Z prefer their communication to be direct, straightforward, and brief with less technical jargon. A lot of the friction from Gen Z and their older co-workers usually comes from clashing communication styles and how often Gen Zers may take constructive criticism personally - the lack of interpersonal communication skills then makes conflict resolution difficult.
3. Resilience.
Many managers believe Gen Z lack resilience and motivation in the workplace. This usually stems from this generation being more open about their mental health and more willing to take sick days than their older co-workers, but this doesn't mean managers think you shouldn't take care of your mental health. Rather, you can improve your resilience in other ways. Not only will improving your communication and conflict resolution help with your interpersonal skills, but it will also help with your resilience. Showing that you won't give up on difficult tasks or on learning new things will give you big points with managers as you've proven to be a motivated hard worker who can deal with challenges.
Gen Z are more likely to job-hop than other generations too - staying in one job for a little longer will prevent you from looking like you're giving up if you don't like/can't do something and will make you look like you switch jobs to gain new experiences and challenges that align with your career goals.
4. Reliance on technology.
You might be surprised to hear Gen Z have trouble with tech at work considering they're our first 'digital natives' in the workplace. But it's because they rely so heavily on tech that they struggle if workplaces don't have up-to-date technical tools to work with. They're the generation most likely to use AI to help with their work and embrace new technological advancements.
Having more adaptability when it comes to technology, such as learning how to use older pieces of tech or dealing with problems upfront without using AI can facilitate better relationships with older members of the team. Business are increasing their focus on technology, but in the meantime, being able to use both older and newer forms of technology will leave Gen Z in a strong position for any workplace.
5. Finding a sense of purpose.
We’ve been taught that finding a job we're passionate about is the key to success. The problem is that there aren’t enough jobs out there for all Gen Z to find a position that is full of both internal and external rewards. Entry-level jobs can seem especially mindless and insignificant, which is what leads to job-hopping and is why Gen Z needs to think about their medium and long-term goals instead of freaking out about not feeling a sense of purpose during the first years of their careers. Purpose comes with years of experience and investment towards goals and a healthy work/life balance.
6. Patience.
Gen Z is the generation of instant gratification. They can communicate in seconds with people living halfway across the world. Watching their favorite TV show takes a quick search on a Netflix account and they can order an Uber ride home while paying the check, eliminating nearly all wait times from their lives. The problem is that successful careers don’t work like our smartphones – they require years of investment, patience, and an acceptance that not all work comes with instant rewards or gratification. Sometimes you have to take pride in your own accomplishments and enjoy the little things. Patience is a virtue and can lead to bigger rewards later.
Gen Z lack many soft skills thanks to their experiences shaped by technology and remote-first work. However, once they bridge these workplace gaps, they'll be an excellent addition to any workplace, bringing fresh ideas and new perspectives that can benefit any organization.