Millennials (Generation Y) and Zoomers (Generation Z) are the youngest people in the workforce today, encompassing people born between 1981 and 2010. Although the youngest members of Generation Z are still studying in a college or high school, the others are entering the workforce and joining their older peers in an ever-changing job landscape. With the increase of technologically advanced workforces the rise of cool sites for finding jobs is one change that is apparent.

Here are the most significant ways Millennials and Gen Zers are changing the way we understand work, how their workplace expectations differ from previous generations, and why it matters.

Who the Millennials and Gen Zers Are Today

According to the general definition, an individual born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s is a Millennial. A Zoomer or Gen Zer is anyone born after Millennials, between the mid-to-late-1990s and the early 2010s. The exact start and end years vary by organization. For example, the Pew Research Center defines 1996 as the last Millennial year and 1997 as the start year for Gen Z.

According to the latest estimates, Millennials and Gen Z currently form the largest generational cohorts on the planet, totaling 55% of the worldwide population (respectively 23% for Millennials and 32% for Gen Z).

Technological Expectations

One of the defining traits common to both generations is their familiarity with technology. Members of Gen Z and Gen Y are so well-versed in computing devices and the Internet that almost 100% of them use the Internet or own at least one device (e.g., smartphone, desktop computer, laptop, tablet). This is compared to 91% of Gen Xers and 85% of Baby Boomers.

Most notably, Gen Zers are known as the digital natives. While older Millennials may recall earlier forms of technology, experiencing the first mobile devices, Zoomers do not remember a time before these devices and technologies.

This reliance on technology and mobile devices can be seen in all aspects of their life, from social media to job searching. For example, they are far more likely to seek jobs online instead of relying on traditional methods, using platforms such as JobsFuel to find their next employers.

JobsFuel offers countless resources for Millennials and Zoomers seeking jobs to help them rework their resumes, write cover letters that appeal to modern employers, and prepare for interviews. In an ever-changing employment landscape, access to this information can make or break your chances of landing a job.

How Millennials and Zoomers use technology at work

When at work, Millennials and Zoomers continue standing out technologically. As the generation is constantly connected and communicating with their peers, they expect the same instant feedback in the workplace.

Usage of tech-based tools and services is not just the norm; it is an expectation. According to a 2017 CompTIA survey, over 80% of the youngest workers aspire to work with the latest technologies available, perceiving it as synonymous with increased work efficiency.

The same survey noted that the primary difference between younger and older generations is how they expect technology to improve their work efficiency.

Older workers want existing tools and systems to be more user-friendly, whereas younger employees prefer encouraging the implementation of newer and faster tools. An example of this is replacing email with instant messaging for internal communication.

Growth and Experience Over Salaries

Although salary remains an essential motivation across all generations, Gen Z and Millennial employees generally do not consider good pay the top priority when seeking a job.

According to a 2017 PwC report, 52% of Millennial and Gen Z employees viewed rapid career progression and opportunities to move up the organizational ladder as the most attractive proposal an employer can make. In contrast, only 44% responded that a competitive salary is their primary motivation.

The increased interest in personal growth and trying different roles and responsibility is the main driving force behind a rising trend of job hopping. A 2016 Gallup report indicated that Millennials were the generation most likely to switch jobs. Other studies, such as a 2021 report by the IBM Institute of Business Value, suggest that Gen Z may not be far behind their older counterparts and will likely continue the trend.

There is no denying the fact that for Millennials and Zillennials, upskilling is a major goal. They know that the more skills and experience they have, the better will the professional opportunity and remuneration they can aim for. This is why in recent years, millennials are opting for the executive coaching dubai to help them understand the latest best practices, strategies, tips and tricks.

Flexibility and Adaptability

One of the most significant differences between older generations and young people is the type of employee benefits they seek the most. Millennials and Gen Zers lived through or witnessed the aftermath of multiple turbulent world events like 9/11, the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, they are the two generations most aware and concerned about mental health and wellness.

While Gen Xers and Baby Boomers historically favored retirement plans, Millennials and Gen Zers are far more likely to look for companies and employers offering work flexibility.

Work flexibility encompasses multiple specific benefits, such as:

• Adaptive schedules and the possibility to work unconventional hours, eschewing the traditional 9-to-5
• Location flexibility and remote working opportunities, allowing them to work from a different location than the standard company office, or even from home if necessary
• Condensing work weeks into fewer days (e.g., working the same number of hours per week but over four workdays instead of five)
• Breaking up work schedules from full-time to part-time to reduce the workload

Millennials and Gen Z appreciate these benefits because it grants them a much healthier work life balance. Studies have repeatedly shown the health benefits of work flexibility. For many younger members of the workforce, these benefits may be more important even compared to higher salaries. If you are a millennial, you can check out 5 Reasons Insurance Agency Is A Good Career Choice For Millennials.

Prepare for the Future of Work

Although Millennials and Zoomers seek different ways to work and are more motivated by stability and wellness than salaries, they are no less competitive than their predecessors.

A study by Motivaction International noted that their disruptive, open-minded attitudes indicate a willingness to change established conventions. They don’t just favor work environments that better accommodate them; they intend to reinvent the workplace and change the public perception of work.