Having trouble attracting Gen Z candidates? This might help

If your organisation is feeling a little tired, hiring someone from a younger generation could be a breath of fresh air. But how do you attract them to your vacant role in the first place? Annabelle and Lauren, two young recruitment and marketing experts, share their experience and tips. 

What can you offer a young person? 

Flexibility, an organisation that is not afraid of change, and social incentives were all things that Beaumont People recruitment consultant Annabelle was looking for in a job.   

“Being part of an organisation where they are constantly looking for the next best thing and how they can stay ahead of the game is really important, because as a Generation Z that’s just the norm for us,” she says. 

“Social incentives like Friday night drinks or little weekends away, also make the role much more appealing for young people, because we are a really social generation and the lines between our personal and professional lives are much blurrier.”   

Can they study on the side? 

If the role you’re advertising is flexible enough that they can study on the side, you might find you get a lot more interest from younger generations. 

“Being able to go into work right away and do part-time study on the side, and have the support of the organisation as well is really valuable, and something a lot of us are looking for,” Annabelle said. 

It’s time to re-think what your job ad looks like     

Forget your classic third-person, bullet-point job ad. Young people have short attention spans, and want something that speaks to them on a personal level. 

“Creating a video to promote a job is something that really attracts younger generations. We watch YouTube, and consume things via social media rather than just reading something,” Annabelle says. 

“I also recently wrote a job ad, and it was more like a blog post. It was written in the first person, and had my thoughts on why the job may be right for you, why it’s suitable if you’re just entering the workforce and what sort of skills you’re going to learn.” 

What does your brand say about you? 

For Beaumont People marketing guru Lauren, showcasing who you are, what you do and what your purpose is through your social media accounts and website is critical. 

Gen Z’s are also more likely to work for a company that aligns with their values, so championing that is important.   

“When I was applying for jobs, I really wanted to know what the organisation stands for, and if that’s clearly shown through your social media and website, I would be more inclined to apply for that role,” Lauren says.