6 Effective Strategies for Gen Z to Thrive in the Workplace

Every new generation entering the workforce encounters some criticism. Remember the many complaints Boomers voiced about Millennials? Now it’s Gen Z’s turn.

According to our 2024 Hiring Trends Survey, 45% of hiring managers say Gen Z is the most challenging generation to work with. But what’s really surprising is that even 45% of Gen Z hiring managers reported their own generation as the most difficult to manage.

Here’s the full breakdown of which generations hiring managers from all working generations find the most challenging to work with:

• Gen Z (45%)
• Millennials (26%)
• Gen X (13%)
• Boomers (9%)
• Not sure / Doesn’t matter (7%)

These findings might seem discouraging, especially if you’re a Gen Zer on the job hunt or striving to climb the corporate ladder. However, not all hope is lost. You can succeed by taking the right approaches and leveraging areas you already excel in.

“Gen Zers might have a bad rep, but they have the power to transform workplaces for the better,” says Geoffrey Scott, Senior Hiring Manager at Resume Genius.

Gen Z has already shaken things up, but they’re not here to break things — they bring a unique blend of talent and bold ideas that can rejuvenate any workforce.

Geoffrey Scott, Senior Hiring Manager at Resume Genius

Below, we’ve compiled six empowering strategies you can apply to best thrive in a multi-generational workplace.

Tips for Gen Zers currently job hunting

If you’re looking for a new job, try these strategies to increase your chances of getting a callback:

1. Flex your digital muscles

Even if you haven’t used specific digital tools before, your natural familiarity with the internet as a true digital native sets you up to quickly learn and master these tools.

Whether you’re skilled in social media, content creation, coding, or cloud computing, you can present yourself as a major asset to employers by highlighting these tech skills on your resumes, cover letters, and during interviews.

For instance, provide specific examples on your resume or cover letter of how you used digital tools to complete a personal project (e.g., getting a social media video to go viral) or make a positive impact at a previous job (e.g., using an AI project management app to streamline work processes).

2. Know (or build) your personal brand

Did you know 67% of Gen Z adults believe that building a personal brand is important?

According to Morning Consult Pro, 61% of Gen Zers either already have a personal brand or are interested in developing one, making them the most engaged generation when it comes to personal branding.

To get ahead of other applicants, thoroughly research the companies you’re interested in and their respective industries to learn what skills and experiences make you marketable.

Once you have an idea of what companies are looking for, showcase your research and insights on your social media profiles or personal blog.

These insights can include discussing industry trends, relevant skills you possess, or lessons learned from your research. Posting this type of content will enhance your personal brand and make you more visible to potential employers.

Here are some ways you can take a proactive stance with your personal branding efforts:

3. Adapt your communication style to older generations

Communication styles vary from generation to generation, so making an effort to understand your interviewer’s communication style demonstrates professionalism and respect on your part.

Where a Baby Boomer might prefer to meet in person, a Gen Xer might choose email. A Millennial boss might like a mix of in-person and digital communication (e.g., emails, text messages), while a Gen Z colleague might prefer instant messaging.

Here’s how to best adapt your communication to your peers:

Review all written exchanges closely

Carefully reading the job posting and any emails from the recruitment team before the interview can help you get a handle on the company’s preferred communication style.

Is their preferred tone of communication formal, casual, or a mix of both? Do their social media profiles or websites convey a corporate image or a more relaxed, startup-like atmosphere?

Mirror the interviewer’s non-verbal cues

Written communication alone won’t reveal the interviewer’s body language or manner of speech.

During interviews, be extra observant. One helpful tactic for building rapport is to mirror the interviewer’s style (e.g., if the interviewer speaks softly, then try to speak softly too).

An easy way to mirror body language is by using similar gestures as the interviewer, such as nodding in agreement when the interviewer does.

Just remember to be subtle when mirroring the interviewer. If the interviewer feels like you’re intentionally mimicking them, it could be taken the wrong way.

For Gen Zers already in the workplace

Every organization’s culture is different, so it may take you time to feel like you really fit in. Here’s what you can do to succeed in a mixed-age office:

1. Show initiative and a growth mindset

Employers across all generations highly value workers who are proactive about learning and development. If you make an effort to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace new challenges, you’re more likely to succeed at work and earn your colleagues’ respect.

One strategy is actively seeking opportunities to engage in new projects as they arise, and then demonstrating your eagerness to learn, gain new skills, and make valuable contributions to the team.

Some other ways to show you’re ready to take initiative include:

• volunteering for projects that align with your interests or career goals
• expressing interest in taking on additional responsibilities
• offering assistance to colleagues if they request help
• attending training sessions or workshops
• actively participating in team meetings and brainstorming sessions

Samuel Johns, Recruiting Manager at CV Genius, suggests:

To counter any misconceptions that Gen Z lacks independence, always propose solutions and be resourceful. Do your research first — use Google or other resources to ensure you can back up what you’re talking about. By demonstrating your ability to find and implement solutions, you show employers that you’re self-motivated and capable of driving projects forward without constant supervision.”

Samuel Johns, Recruiting Manager at CV Genius

2. Avoid publicly bashing former employers

Even if you’re already settled into your job, be mindful of what you post on social media.

Trends like #QuitTok, where people share dramatic stories of quitting their jobs, can be entertaining but might not be the best move for your career.

For example, a CBS News article highlighted the TikTok video trend of people recording themselves getting fired and posting the videos online.

While it may feel empowering to share such experiences in the moment, this kind of content can have long-term repercussions on your professional image.

We recommend regularly reviewing and removing anything online that might make employers question their decision to hire you. To further minimize risk, review your privacy settings and consider maintaining separate professional and personal accounts. If you feel the need to vent online, use an anonymous platform like Reddit where employers are less likely to see it.

3. Build bridges with colleagues (not walls)

The ability to work well with coworkers from diverse backgrounds is critical to success in every workplace. Despite missing over two formative years quarantining away from your peers, you can still show you’ll be an adaptable, supportive teammate.

Research shows that 61% of Gen Zers believe they have the power to drive change within their organizations.

Drawing on this belief, you can actively contribute to fostering collaboration and innovation within your team. For instance, if your company serves a younger audience, offer to act as the company’s youthful spokesperson or advocate by representing the brand from a “Gen Z perspective.”

If your organization is looking to improve efficiency at work, recommend collaborative online workspaces or suggest new generative AI tools that support teamwork across generations. You can also offer to write standard operating procedures (SOPs) or provide quick tutorials to help everyone understand and effectively use these tools.

Additionally, try suggesting team-building activities that suit varying interests — such as a virtual escape room, an online gaming session, or a board game night to bring the team together and help everyone feel more comfortable.

Travis Chen, Gen Z Entrepreneur, believes his generation will prove they’ll be positive forces in the workplace.

I’ll put it out there, Gen Zers are the most resilient generation because we’ve seen so many changes in our lives. We all have a responsibility to put our best foot forward and make sure that we represent ourselves, each other, and our entire generation in a way that shows we’re worthy of being the next leaders and changemakers.

Travis Chen, Gen Z Entrepreneur

Methodology

Resume Genius conducted this survey in partnership with Pollfish. The study aimed to understand how various stages of the hiring process — resume evaluation, interviews, and skills assessments — affect hiring decisions, as well as to identify the candidate qualities most valued by U.S. hiring managers.

The survey commenced on January 29, 2024, and targeted a sample of 625 participants. To qualify, respondents were required to be actively involved in hiring within their organizations. The survey ensured a balanced representation across various demographics, including gender and age groups, to accurately reflect the diversity of the U.S. workforce.

Pollfish uses Random Device Engagement (RDE) to minimize bias and ensure a fair and organic selection process. For further details on Pollfish’s methodology, please visit their website or pr@resumegenius.com.

Sources

About Resume Genius

Since 2009, Resume Genius has combined innovative technology with leading industry expertise to simplify the job hunt for people of all backgrounds and levels of experience.

Resume Genius’s easy-to-use resume builder and wide range of free career resources, including resume templates, cover letter samples, and resume writing guides, help job seekers find fulfilling work and reach their career goals. Resume Genius is led by a team of dedicated career advisors and HR experts and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, and Business Insider.

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