Why you should hire a Generation Z

Millennials have got a bad rap when it comes to being part of the workforce: they don’t stay; they don’t like to be told what to do; they don’t want to work from the office; they expect designer spaces.

No sooner had the Millennials entered the big wide world then we had the young upstarts, called Generation Z (Gen Z). But who exactly are Gen Z and why is it crucial that businesses understand what makes them tick? Gen Z were born between 1997 and 2015. Due to the inevitable exposure to technology from a young age, Gen Z tend to be renowned as more efficient and knowledgeable when it comes to using computers, their timing does pose a significant advantage when it comes to being tech-savvy. From an employment perspective, they are virtually future-proof.

Dial-up internet connections, aerials on mobile phones, these are all things Gen Z will never experience. The notion of anywhere without Wi-Fi sparks utter disbelief and revolt. Furthermore, being immersed in technology from such a young age stimulates and promotes personality traits and abilities that previous generations may lack. According to Leonid Bershidsky of Bloomberg, Gen Z are able to multi-task (yes, even guys) more effectively, so sending emails, editing photos and writing reports can be completed simultaneously. This ability is a huge advantage in many industries, as companies strive to stay in touch with the constant conveyor belt of new media channels.

Another distinct feature of Gen Z candidates is that they tend to be very social creatures. It would be a thing of amazement to find one that isn't on Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. From a marketing and networking perspective this is great for companies, as it opens potential avenues for new customers and brand-building.

In addition, Gen Z bring with them an enhanced scepticism and problem-solving. Due to the nature of the internet now, it is bred into these youngsters to question everything and be very inquisitive by nature. Was that picture a product of Photoshop? Was that prank video staged? Is that article telling lies? Being such sceptics means that they will ensure your company has every angle covered when it comes to the operation and implementation of new tasks. This tends to make Gen Z more meticulous and calculative when it comes to problem-solving.

More so than previous generations, the Gen Z candidate is more self-sufficient, should they encounter a computer-based problem. Their ability to independently assess a situation is heightened by the readily available resources online - such as YouTube tutorials, help forums and learning resources. All of these luxuries were previously unavailable or very limited to the millennial generation, who therefore had to rely on other, more collaborative solutions.

Okay I want some Gen Z workers! Hold on a moment

I'm sure you'll agree that, so far at least, the new generation brings with them all of the verve, know-how and charisma companies need to move forward. But as with every predecessor, the Gen Z candidate does have some weaknesses which are, ironically, by-products of their strengths.

Concentration is their first problem. As a direct result of their adeptness with technology, the Gen Z worker could be super-productive and on-task when, all of a sudden, they are overcome with the impulse to pop over to Instagram and upload their dinner photo from the night before. Then they spend 5 minutes deciding whether Ludwig or XX Pro II are a better filter, which hashtags will get them the most likes, and how many followers they've gained since last Tuesday.

Granted, they can do all of this very efficiently, as it's almost second nature to them, but it does pose a unique problem which is absent from other generations. This is no better summarised than in the words of Hannah Payne, an 18-year-old student and lifestyle blogger, who refers to her generation as being able to "take in information instantaneously and lose interest just as fast."

This isn't the only disadvantage either. Remember when I said Gen Z are a social bunch? Well I lied. While they do have the irrepressible impulse to peruse social media, they lack the more traditional skills of face-to-face interaction that previous generations have. The inability to simply click 'like' or type 'lol' in a business meeting could prove an issue, as they'll be forced to physically smile and laugh (let's be honest, we don't actually laugh out loud when we type lol, do we?). Gen Z are generally more comfortable conversing by email and tweets than by phone calls and meetings, this does take away a crucial dimension within the business environment, but nothing that can’t be learnt.

Lastly, and probably most controversially, Gen Z candidates could be considered lazier than previous generations (I guess the more politically correct term would be less productive). There is a very good reason for this however, so let me explain what I mean before a gang of pragmatic, radically inclusive GenZers turn up on my doorstep. As a direct result of the automation that technology offers, Gen Z can complete certain tasks effortlessly. Template emails, editing tools and computer-generated content can make completing (what used to be) a complex task relatively easy. Although this is great and means that more tasks can be done in less time, it does make the whole process more detached than ever before. Instead of being creators of things, Gen Z are collaborators of the pre-created. So when a report needs writing or a graphic needs designing, quotes and research can easily be copy and pasted, images can be purchased and graphs instantly generated. I should stress I don't mean that Gen Z are less creative, but their creative scope is assisted by many wonderful inventions made possible through technology.

Measures businesses should take for Gen Z workers

Just like every generation before them, businesses will have to adapt to (and understand) how the 'new wave' work and how best to capitalise on their strengths. In recognition of their relatively short attention span, many companies now utilise a variety of productivity management tools. From project organisation software like Trello, to minute-by-minute tracking like RescueTime, businesses should recognise that this generation need trackable incentives and goals in order to maximise their ability. Put simply, there is no stopping a hard-working, Gen Z candidate if you give them the right environment and resources to work with.