Are you reaching the point as an entrepreneur where your business is growing and could use additional support? If an extra set of hands is what you need to help you excel, it’s time to make that huge step for yourself and your business. It can be overwhelming to find someone who shares similar goals, is a hard worker and can help your small business flourish. When you’re looking for the perfect fit, don’t let age get in the way, professionals from Generation Z can be exactly what you’re looking for.
When you’re looking for the perfect fit, don’t let age get in the way, professionals from Generation Z can be exactly what you’re looking for.
The generation is known as Gen Z, or post-millennials is defined as those born in 1995 or later. To contrast, millennials are those who were reaching young adulthood around 2000. The lines aren’t crystal clear but you can think of Gen Z as those who are in college and almost ready to begin their career.
Before you begin the search, it would be beneficial to know what Gen Z employees expect from their employers. In order to build a positive relationship, an understanding of their background is important. Below are few factors that show how Gen Z differs from past generations and how they can benefit your business.
Location
Stereotypical businesses are associated with cubicles and formal business attire, but Gen Z has a different idea in mind. Since entrepreneurs are able to build and grow their business from the comfort of their own home, they have the flexibility to create their own office culture.
How does the generation who grew up in this norm feel about their work environment? A study by Randstad found that 41% of Gen Z workers still prefer to work in a corporate office. On the other hand, 21% would rather be in a coworking space and 21% would choose a home office.
As you can see, although professionals desire a structured office environment, the same amount of people prefer working in a co-working or home office setting. This is a good sign for all of you small business owners!
Professionals desire a structured office environment, but the same amount of people prefer working in a co-working or home office setting. This is a good sign for small business owners!
Technology
Staying up to date with technology is necessary to excel in the business world. The online tools available to you may seem endless, but if you utilize the apps and resources that cater to your business correctly, they will make a drastic difference. Remember, they are designed to make your life easier, so don’t feel like you need a variety of different programs to run your business.
If you’ve had trouble with technology in the past, maybe you weren’t using the most advantageous tools. GetVoip looked at the technologies that America’s fastest growing companies are using and found some helpful trends. 42% of companies use Google Apps for email service, 73% use SPF as a supplementary email tool, and 58% used WordPress for their content management system.
What are you using? Whether you are familiar with these technologies or not, hiring someone from Gen Z could help you improve your presence on the internet. Gen Z employees have studied these technologies throughout school and are in tune with optimizing their use in business.
Communication
To no surprise, communication is key in business. Although technology makes communication fast and effortless, has it lost its personal touch?
Although people from Gen Z have grown up with texting as one of their primary means of communication, it turns out they would rather not use it in the workplace. The Randstad survey revealed that 39% of millennials and Gen Z believed that the most effective way to communicate was in person.
In a small business, this is a huge advantage. You have the luxury of relating to your workers a forming a more personal relationship. This transparency will help both you and your employee succeed.
Leadership
Leadership is an important quality in a boss. You have to be able to effectively lead your team to accomplish your goals. Leadership opportunities are important for employees as well as they grow in their career.
Gen Z agrees that they should be leaders. Forbes reported that the Gen Z individuals who are entering the workforce have a desire to shape where they work. 84 percent of Gen Z workers said they aspired to be a leader.
What does this mean for your business? It means that hiring someone from Gen Z who is ready for the responsibilities you need help with… Giving them responsibility will put them in a position where they could assume a leadership role. Another beneficial step to take is to listen to their input and making them feel like they are positively impacting your business.
You have to be able to effectively lead your team to accomplish your goals.
Salary
The biggest hesitation you may have about hiring someone from Gen Z is their asking salary. Remember that you have the ability to offer a salary that suits the position. If you aren’t ready to commit to a full-time employee you may consider offering an intern position or part-time position.
Regardless, Gen Z has shown a willingness to invest in their future. NitroCollege conducted a study that investigated how Gen Z is managing their student loan debt. It found that Gen Z is prepared to take out loans in order to get the education they feel they need.
Despite this value that is put on financing education, 46 percent shared that their potential salary only somewhat affects their chosen major. They are realistic about their future salary, with “50 percent anticipating to earn under $45,000 one year post graduation.”
By offering a position that helps them learn and grow, with compensation to match, a Gen Z employee with be more inclined to value the position. For small business owners, it’s pertinent that you are aware of how much you are capable to offer your employee and talk with them to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
Now that you are more familiar with Gen Z, hiring your first employee shouldn’t be intimidating. You’ll find someone who is driven and willing to invest as much time and energy into the business that you are.
Remember that you have the ability to offer a salary that suits the position. If you aren’t ready to commit to a full-time employee you may consider offering an intern position or part-time position.
