Generation Z

What is Generation Z?

Generation Z, also known as Gen Z, is a demographic cohort that refers to individuals born between the early 1990s and the early 2010s. This generation follows Generation Y, and is followed by Generation Alpha.

One of the defining characteristics of Generation Z is that they are often referred to as “digital natives.” This is because they have been born at a time when technology and the internet have advanced to such a degree that they have grown up surrounded by digital devices and have easy access to the internet. As a result, many members of this generation are highly connected and spend a significant amount of time in the digital world. HBR’s workforce research identifies Gen Z as the most educated and digitally native generation entering the workforce, but also the most likely to prioritize mental health, purpose, and authentic manager relationships over compensation alone.

Another defining characteristic of Generation Z is that they are said to have very short attention spans. Additionally, they are highly aware of mental health issues and have a higher rate of allergies compared to previous generations. This is thought to be due to their lifestyle choices, which may contribute to sleep deprivation.

What are the characteristics of Generation Z?

The characteristics of Generation Z vary, but some common traits include:

• Being highly connected to technology and the internet, as they have grown up surrounded by digital devices and have easy access to the internet.
• Having short attention spans and being easily distracted
• Being highly aware of mental health issues and more open to discussing them.
• Being more diverse and multicultural
• Being more politically aware and socially conscious
• Being less trusting of traditional institutions, such as government and media.
• Being more entrepreneurial and having a strong desire to be their own boss.
• Being more environmentally conscious
• Being more open to different forms of communication, such as messaging and emoji, rather than traditional forms of communication like phone calls.
• Being more likely to be influenced by social media and peer recommendations.
• Being more concerned with privacy, security and ownership of personal data.

What is the age range for the Generation Z?

The age range for Generation Z is typically considered to be those born between the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s, which means currently (2023) people between 7 to 27 years old are considered as the Generation Z. However, the exact years for the beginning and end of Generation Z vary depending on the source. SHRM’s talent acquisition guidance highlights that organizations adapting recruiting processes for Gen Z : mobile-first application flows, transparent compensation, and rapid response times : significantly outperform peers in this talent segment.

Attracting Generation Z requires skills-based, transparent, and mobile-optimized hiring processes. Organizations using pre-employment assessments ensure every hire is grounded in verified skills. A data-driven hiring plan reduces mis-hire risk, while strong talent acquisition practices focused on skills-based hiring help organizations attract and retain top talent.

Frequently asked questions