Job hunting, an uphill battle for genZ
- Thursday, June 13, 2024
- JobTeaser
Deciphering job listings, navigating application processes, and gearing up for interviews: In the early stages of their professional journey, young talents grapple with the challenges of job hunting. An in-depth analysis.
In the eyes of HR managers and recruiters, frustration is palpable. The vast majority of applications they receive do not align with the specific requirements they've outlined for a position. According to one recruiter interviewed by JobTeaser, young talents often « respond to any job offer, and in the end, they don't assess whether the job truly suits them. »
« No one teaches young people what it means to look for a job »
The results from our Career Barometer 2023/2024 confirm a prevailing trend, indicating a certain lack of understanding of the professional world. One in three young individuals fears making an inappropriate decision when selecting their future employer. Among the areas of uncertainty, those aged 18-27 primarily cite a lack of knowledge about existing opportunities in the job market, the best approach to conducting a job interview, and the salary they can expect.
The root of the issue lies in the fact that « no one teaches young people what it means to look for a job. Job searching is not just about finding an offer or knowing how to respond to a job posting. It's primarily about self-reflection, understanding what one wants to do, and presenting oneself effectively (through a CV, social media profiles, etc.),' asserts Olivier Marx, the founder of Digirocks. 'Recruiters need to understand what the young individual wants. Essentially, it involves adopting a marketing approach, but in this case, it's marketing oneself. Only then should one embark on their 'Go to Market' strategy to become visible and connect with companies.»
60% of Gen Z feels prepared before a job interview according to our Career Barometer. However half of the time recruiters do not perceive this readiness.
So, who is there to help? Career services at schools and universities have begun providing advice to students to help them position themselves and target their job searches. Some have even implemented sessions to prepare students for video interviews.
However, working on self-awareness and identifying one's desires involves an entirely different process that requires coaching by professionals, perhaps even virtual coaching, as offered by the psychometric tool Marco launched in 2019 by JobTeaser. Marco engages young individuals in a series of questions drawn from the social sciences to help them identify their professional interests and preferences for specific career fields.
Is it a mission for companies in the future? Indeed, rather than being overwhelmed by inappropriate applications, wouldn't it be preferable for them to support young individuals so that they apply with a clear understanding of the job and, consequently, of themselves?