Who are the Gen Z's?

Generation Z usually refers to those born between 1995 and 2012, succeeding Millenials and preceding Generation A5ennials are no longer the youngest generation in the American workforce.

Generation Z’s first class of college degree holders are entering the labor market this spring and have a completely different set of traits, interests, and values than their millennial predecessors.

It’s time to start learning about the characteristics that define this young generation, and we’ve listed 10 things you should know about them as they prepare to join the workforce. Districts that have a grasp on what motivates Generation Z will have a better chance at recruiting and retaining them. Here’s what we know so far:

*They’re competitive:-

Generation Z was raised by tough love, skeptical Gen Xers and know there are winners and losers in life. In a national survey by GenZGuru, 72 percent of Gen Z respondents said they’re competitive with those doing the same job. This style contrasts with millennials, who enjoy collaborating with their colleagues.

*They love technology…

They’re the first true digital natives, because they’re the first generation that’s only known smartphones, not the basic flip phones. Gen Z lives and breathes technology and they want to work for companies who embrace technological advancements—90 percent of survey respondents said a company’s technological sophistication would impact their decision to work there.

...but they prefer face-to-face interaction

An overwhelming 84 percent of Gen Z respondents said their preferred method of communication is through face-to-face interaction. As a generation that grew up in the digital world, they’re self-aware and understand social media and texting can actually have a negative effect on real-world relationships.

*They’re attracted to stability

A surprising 61 percent of Gen Z respondents said they would stay at a company for more than 10 years. This runs counter to the millennial mindset, where loyalty to a company is very low on the.

on the priority list. The reasoning lies with Gen Z’s upbringing in the Great Recession. The financial difficulties impacting the nation also impacted the generation's values, and some experts say.

They’re all about hyper-customization

Gen Z is all about standing out from the crowd. They live in a personalized world—they have their own Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat accounts all with their own unique following. This generates a desire to feel unique, and employers should cater to that. Making Gen Zers feel like their job is specifically designed to their particular strengths is a big step. Fifty-six percent of Gen Z respondents said they would rather write their own job description, and 62 percent would rather customize their own career plan than have an organization do it for them. Focus on customization and personalization, and you’ll cater perfectly to Gen Z needs.