Engaging with Gen Z and Young Adults: Insights from First Intuition’s Employer Event

Engaging with Gen Z and Young Adults: Insights from First Intuition's Employer Event

First Intuition recently hosted an event for employers on Engaging with Gen Z and Young Adults, at their new centre in Milton Keynes, bringing together professionals to discuss strategies for understanding and supporting this dynamic generation in the workplace. With an audience of employers, business leaders, and HR professionals, the event sparked meaningful conversations around recruitment, retention, and the workplace expectations of Gen Z.

The event was a great success, and we asked our Milton Keynes Client Relationship Lead, Mel Williams, to give us a recap of the key takeaways from the event:

Understanding the Gen Z Mindset

Panellists explored the traits shaping Gen Z employees, including their preference for hybrid working, demand for career progression, and emphasis on wellbeing. Employers therefore need to ensure that their workplace culture aligns with these priorities to attract and retain top talent.

Recruitment in the Digital Age

The recruitment process for Gen Z differs from previous generations. Speakers encouraged employers to embrace:

• Social Media and Technology: Nearly 50% of young people find jobs through platforms like TikTok. This highlights the importance of engaging with Gen Z where they are most active.
• Efficiency in Recruitment: According to Jane Donnelly from Hays, job applications that take more than 15 minutes to complete risk losing candidates. Streamlining recruitment is now a competitive necessity.
• Maintaining Engagement Post-Offer: Ensuring candidates remain excited about their roles between job acceptance and start date is vital to prevent dropouts.

Retaining Gen Z Talent

Retention strategies were a focal point of the discussion at the event. Employers need to "walk the talk" by delivering on promises made in job advertisements. Providing clear learning and development plans, well-being initiatives, and a strong company vision were emphasised as critical factors.

An eye-opening statistic noted that the average tenure of a Gen Z employee is just two years, with many experiencing up to eight career changes. This underlines the importance of creating meaningful connections between employees and the business.

Local Recruitment Success

TUI shared their successful approach of recruiting locally. By hiring apprentices and employees from the local community, they reduced challenges like long commutes and relocation costs while fostering a tight-knit team.

Navigating Post-COVID Challenges

The pandemic has had a huge impact on Gen Z, leading to increased anxiety around office environments, exams, and public speaking. Panellists stressed the importance of balancing constructive feedback with positivity and providing tailored support to help young professionals gain confidence and thrive.

Engaging with the Community

The importance of partnerships with local schools and charities was also highlighted. By offering work experience opportunities, businesses can nurture talent and establish connections with the next generation of employees early on.

Voices from the Event

The discussions left a lasting impression on attendees:

Caitlin Edwards, Client Relationship Manager and First Intuition said:
"I found the event so helpful and think it is important for employers/businesses to meet the new generation of workers 'in the middle', with job deal breakers, such as flexible working and career progression.

"All the discussions were really insightful with some eye-opening data and stats about Gen Z and the recruitment process. There was definitely a lot of key information to takeaway from the event and utilise in our everyday working life and keep working on in the future."

Key Takeaways for Employers

• Adapt to Gen Z's expectations for flexibility, wellbeing, and career growth
• Use technology and streamline recruitment processes to attract talent
• Build strong local connections and community partnerships
• Support Gen Z employees with positive feedback and mental health resources
• Embrace the cultural shift and innovate to stay ahead in the talent game

Find First Intuition's employer resources here.