JobStreet: Gen Zs more choosy about employers

MANILA  -Digital native Gen Z talents are more discerning when it comes to choosing the company they want to work for and may appear more demanding when negotiating for benefits and salaries compared to older generations, online jobs platform JobStreet said, noting these are “absolutely valid” amid a changing career market.

In a study released on Tuesday, JobStreet noted that Gen Zs—those born from 1996 to early 2000s which comprise about 65 percent of the country’s workforce —consider company values and political stances when applying for a job.

“Clearly, Gen Zs are not afraid of upholding their principles as they are more empowered with access to information and sharing their minds,” JobStreet said.

At the same time, the study highlighted that “stability, work-life balance, competitive salary and benefits are also of immense value to Gen Z candidates.”

The findings relating to Gen Zs looking for a competitive salary come at a time when the cost of living continues to rise.

Citing a World Economic Forum research, the online jobs platform stressed that the majority of Gen Z employees also want a permanent flexible work setup.

The hybrid work scheme—a combination of remote and onsite work—has been on the rise since the pandemic when mobility was heavily curtailed to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Valid demands

“The desires of Gen Z talents might seem like high-maintenance demands, but they are absolutely valid. Employers really need to ensure that they are implementing practices that are healthy for their workers to continue attracting and retaining talents,” JobStreet Philippines managing director Dannah Majarocon said.

JobStreet suggested that employers “adapt and be more progressive to address this cultural gap between them and these new-gen talents.”

Employers, in addition, were urged to explore advocacies with focus on equality, gender acceptance, politics and the environment.

Based on JobStreet’s Global Talent Survey, the top career choices for Gen Zs are accounting and government jobs. Male Gen Zs, to be specific, would like to venture into engineering, computer, information technology (IT) consulting, automotive, IT outsourcing and IT software industries.

Female Gen Zs, meanwhile, are keen on establishing career in travel and tourism, health care, accounting, hospitality and government-related jobs. INQ