Jakarta – Several companies reportedly cut many employees from Generation Z throughout 2024. Workers born between 1997 and the early 2010s faced numerous layoffs.
According to a recent report by Intelligent, an education and career consulting platform that surveyed nearly 1,000 HR teams, one in six employers is reluctant to hire Gen Z. This is due to their reputation for being seen as entitled and easily offended.
Six out of ten companies surveyed also reported firing new university graduates they hired this year. Some of the reasons cited include a lack of employee motivation, lack of professionalism, and poor communication skills.
“Many new graduates may struggle to enter the workforce for the first time because it can be a stark contrast to what they are accustomed to during their educational journey. They are often unprepared for less structured environments, workplace cultural dynamics, and expectations to work independently,” said Huy Nguyen, lead advisor for education and career development at Intelligent, as quoted by Euronews.
“While they may have theoretical knowledge from college, they often lack real-world experience and soft skills necessary to succeed in a work environment,” he added.
Hiring managers surveyed also reported that some Gen Z workers struggled to manage their workloads, frequently arrived late, and did not dress or communicate appropriately.
A separate report in April found that Generation Z workers are overly reliant on parental support during the job search process. According to a survey conducted by ResumeTemplates involving nearly 1,500 young job seekers, 70% admitted to asking their parents for help during their job search.
About 25% even brought their parents to interviews, while many others asked their parents to submit job applications and write their CVs.
The report emphasized that key qualities employers look for include initiative and a positive attitude. Managers also value real-world experience, whether through internships or work, and to a lesser extent, maintaining an appropriate social media presence and avoiding political discussions.
“New graduates entering their first job should demonstrate professionalism, not by conforming to outdated norms, but by showing respect and commitment to their work,” Nguyen stated.
Reasons why Gen Z struggles to find jobs and is easily fired by companies:
- Lack of motivation or initiative: 50%
- Lack of professionalism: 46%
- Poor organizational skills: 42%
- Poor communication skills: 39%
- Difficulty accepting feedback: 38%
- Lack of relevant work experience: 38%
- Poor problem-solving skills: 34%
- Inadequate technical skills: 31%
- Not a good cultural fit: 31%
- Difficulty working in teams: 30%
