The Gen Z welcome: How the Connected Generation Wants to Onboard to a New Job
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Are you ready to welcome the new wave of talent? Generation Z has entered the (workforce) chat, bringing with them new expectations and values that are reshaping the traditional onboarding process.
The ambitious, autonomous and adaptable new generation of workers has a whole new idea of what it means to be a good employee - and what it takes to stay with a good employer.
It's time for businesses to embrace this change (if they haven't already), because the future of your business depends on Generation Z. And guess what? It all starts with how you get them on board.
Let’s explore how you can adapt your onboarding to resonate with the connected generation.
Generation Z at work: A digitally oriented, knowledge-hungry generation
Generation Z is taking the workforce by storm and will make up a larger share of the workforce than Boomers within the next year. Employees of the connected generation have a new perspective on work: They are digitally oriented, hungry for knowledge and authentic.
What does this mean for running your business? You should consider these differences during onboarding because the way employees join your company sets the tone for their entire tenure. Generation Z isn't afraid to leave if the mood isn't right, so a proactive retention strategy is essential.
Let's look at what sets Gen Z apart from other generations and how that affects their expectations when starting a new job.
They are digitally savvy and expect seamless experiences
Having grown up in the digital age, Generation Z workers have an innate familiarity with and comfort with technology. They are adept at virtual collaboration and use digital tools in their work. The increasing presence of artificial intelligence in the workplace also represents a promising opportunity. Generation Z workers are well-equipped to experiment, test, and develop best practices on how these tools can contribute to the success of your business.
So what's the catch? Generation Z is naturally tech-savvy and quickly adapts to new tools and software - but they also have a preference for apps that provide a flawless user experience and are quick to forego a new tool if it doesn't meets expectations. You may not need to train them on your technology, but if you're working with outdated systems, that could lead to frustration.
Constantly connected and eager to learn
Generation Z is used to staying constantly connected via smartphones and social media, which has shaped their communication style. They prefer instant messaging and interactive experiences over lengthy email threads. They are familiar with voice memos and screen recordings, and video communication is expected to be short and sweet.
Because Generation Z grew up with instant access to information, they are also used to finding the information they need easily and independently. Continuous learning comes naturally to them and is something they expect from their job.
Dynamic, authentic, and looking for belonging
Baby boomers were encouraged to climb the corporate ladder. Generation X was inspired to seek stability. And while Millennials have been promised that they can do what they love, Generation Z has been told that they can be who they are.
This generation knows that we are all much more than our job title - both outside the office and inside the office. They want their employer to reflect this message and stand for something that goes beyond the company mission. Therefore, your employee experience must demonstrate your company's values in practice, capitalize on people's strengths, embrace people's differences, and foster a sense of belonging from the start.
Memorable onboarding processes are not developed overnight. Depending on where your company is today, you may feel like you have a lot of work to do to achieve a Gen Z-friendly workflow. However, onboarding software can help you speed up the process and provide your new employees with a better experience sooner rather than later.
Increase Productivity: How to Meet Generation Z's Expectations with Employee Onboarding Software
To bring digital natives into your company, it only makes sense to leverage technology.
Employee onboarding software like IceHrm Onboarding can:
Relieve the manual work involved in setting up new employees
Centralize onboarding tasks
create a more coherent, streamlined experience
All of this helps new employees get up to speed quickly, shortens their time to peak performance and promotes long-term success.
Let's look at some of the key ways onboarding software can help you tailor your onboarding experience to Gen Z expectations...
Flexibility and personalization
Rigid schedules and one-size-fits-all solutions are not for Generation Z. Instead of blocking out every hour in the first few weeks, give them a flexible checklist of tasks and let them organize their calendar. This shows that you trust them to take on responsibility and gives them a sense of autonomy while providing them the structure they need to achieve their goals.
You can also create a customized onboarding experience based on the employee's role, their team, and even personal factors. When you consider what makes someone unique and create a customized onboarding plan for them, you show them that they are seen and valued. He feels understood and cared for as an individual.
Feedback and recognition
Gen Z appreciates receiving regular feedback and recognition. They want to know how they're performing, what they’re doing well, and where they could focus on improving. Sharing feedback is easy through IceHrm Onboarding, and you can keep it in context alongside the employee’s tasks, goals, and accomplishments. What better way to encourage your new employees and show them that they’re doing a great job?
Just as important as providing feedback to new hires is receiving it from them. You can easily collect employee feedback with IceHrm Onboarding’s automated surveys, providing a straightforward way for new joiners to share feedback on things like:
- What worked well
- What needed to be clarified
- What needed to be more helpful
This helps you improve the onboarding process for your next new hire, and can spark meaningful conversations with your new team member.
Mentorship opportunities
Access to experienced colleagues and the opportunity to learn from mentors in their area of expertise is very valued by Gen Z. They’re keen to learn and develop their skills, and connecting with someone who has been there and who gets it makes a big difference for them. This helps them grow and shows them they have a real future at your company—and that you can see that potential in them, too.
Beyond their personal growth and mapping out a career trajectory, connecting new hires with upper leadership helps break down hierarchy and red tape. It shows people that everyone is valued at your business, no matter their role or seniority level. This doubles down on creating a sense of belonging and encourages new hires and more junior staff to speak up and share their ideas and opinions.
Speaking Gen Z's language
Video is a cornerstone of how Gen Z likes to communicate and learn. It’s their preferred form of media:
Generation Z is used to watching videos to learn how to do something and recording videos to share their thoughts and opinions. So when you incorporate welcome videos into your onboarding process, you create an experience that is familiar and in line with their preferences. Welcome videos are a key feature of IceHrm Onboarding and help you create personalized and engaging onboarding experiences for all new team members.
Helping Gen Z take your business to new heights
It doesn’t seem like that long ago that millennials were the new kids in the office. Yet a large portion of Gen Z are now experienced employees, with 5-10 years of work under their belt. Gen Z’s influence in the workforce has landed. And starting off your relationships on the right note with an engaging, technology-enhanced onboarding experience is key.
Discover how IceHrm Onboarding can elevate your onboarding process to meet Gen Z's unique needs.
