Give Gen Z workers room, and watch them grow
By Sue White
Work-life balance, flexibility, making a positive impact and career progression. It’s a long list, but according to the results of a recent study commissioned by Fiverr on Gen Z and work, all four are priorities for Australians aged between 18 and 22.
But there’s something else too: Gen Z employees want their career path to be tailored from day one. They also want plenty of opportunity to move across an organisation – respondents in full-time jobs said they expected to stay in that role for just 21 months.
“Employers must take note of Gen Z’s customised approach to their careers and adapt their hiring strategies accordingly,” says Australian community manager at Fiverr Oliver Woolrych.
Brian Donn, managing director Australia and New Zealand for global software company Ceridian, says it’s also important to remember Gen Z entered the workforce “in the shadow of the pandemic and the resulting upheaval”. The organisation’s 2023 Pulse of Talent report reflects many of the themes in the Fiverr survey, including Gen Z’s demand for flexibility.
“To retain and engage Gen Z, give them as much room as possible to determine when and where they work with flexible hours and a hybrid or virtual work environment,” Donn says.
Some organisations have already made moves to better accommodate Gen Z.
‘Gen Z would rather have four clients getting paid $1000 a month to manage four brands’ TikTok than get paid $4000 a month in a 9 to 5.′
Freelancer Harry Edwards, 18
CEO of Vista Australia and New Zealand, Marcus Marchant, says the company has been remote-first since August 2020. He encourages his Australian team to pursue a side hustle if they choose.
“Not only does it give them a creative outlet, but it’s important for them to understand the value of the products Vista sells [staff receive a 65 per cent discount],” Marchant says.
At KPMG, Gen Z’s workplace needs are accommodated through its graduate program. Rather than pigeonholing new entrants from day one, it allows its 900 graduates a year to apply for roles based on skills. Once a CV is uploaded, a personalised AI careers adviser helps broaden minds about the breadth of careers on offer, and provides training on topics from preparing for interviews to protecting their mental health.
Of course, not every 18-22 year old wants a full-time role in someone else’s company. Fiverr’s survey found 25 per cent of 18-22 year olds looking for full-time work this year plan on starting their own business. Eighteen-year-old Harry Edwards has been experimenting with freelancing and ecommerce since he was 13.
His most recent success happened on Fiverr, where, since 2020, he turned a small video editing gig into a business employing a remote team of ten. His best month to date? A hefty $14,000 USD in profit.
For Edwards, the gig economy offers significant opportunities, and he believes many of his peers feel the same.
“Gen Z would rather have four clients getting paid $1000 a month to manage four brands’ TikTok than get paid $4000 a month in a 9 to 5,” Edwards says.
Back at Fiverr, Woolrych says an increasing number of young Australians like Edwards are using the platform to build their skillsets as freelancers, and learn how to build relationships with their clients.
“These relationships emulate that of an internal workplace structure that can be highly beneficial and transferable when it comes to finding a full-time role in future, should they choose to do so,” Woolrych says.
Edwards, who is currently running his Fiverr-based business from Kenya, offers another piece of advice for those trying to lure his Gen Z colleagues into fulltime employment.
“If you’re trying to attract Gen Z, you better be on your social media game. These digital natives are always scrolling on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, so you must have a strong presence there,” he says.
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