Six out of ten companies surveyed in a recent survey let go of at least one young worker hired this year.
In the modern labor market, which is constantly changing, the GEN Zcomposed mainly of young people who have just finished their studies, “invading” the professional field with great hopes and ambitions for the future.
This generation was brought up in an age of digital and technological explosion, with access to a wealth of information and educational tools that previous generations did not have. However, although these young people have significant academic knowledge and skills, it appears that employers are not always willing to welcome them with open arms.
The results of a recent survey showed a frightening reality: GEN Z faces significant difficulties in entering the labor market, such as employers seem reluctant to hire them.
The research shows a number of challenges that characterize the relationship between employers and new graduates. Despite the high expectations of young professionals, the demands of the modern labor market often seem too difficult for them.
Many employers argue that Generation Z, although knowledgeable and skilled, are not always prepared for the conditions and pressures of professional life. Young people often feel that employers are not willing to offer them opportunitiesand that the companies’ expectations exceed their capabilities.
One of the major challenges is the discrepancy between the expectations of new employees and the demands of employers. Generation Z has grown up in an environment that emphasizes innovation and speed, but at the same time looks balance between work and personal life, flexible working conditions and opportunities for personal development.
on the contrary, many companies still work with more traditional modelswith tight schedules and high performance requirements, conflict can arise between the two sides.
Generation Z is being asked to adapt and develop their skills, but at the same time, employers need to recognize the value and potential of this generation. So how can better cooperation be achieved between the two sides?
WHY GEN Z IS DOING SO MUCH
OR Clevereducation and career consulting platform, recently surveyed 966 business leaders involved in the recruitment process at the company they work for to find out the views on recruiting GEN Z workers who have recently graduated from university.
This new survey reveals not only the concerns and expectations of hiring managers, but also the a new approach is needed in the training and integration of young professionals in the labor market.
Key findings that emerge:
- 75% of companies report that some or all of the graduates recently hired this year did not satisfy them with their skills.
- 6 out of 10 companies promoted new graduates hired this year.
- 1 in 6 hiring managers say they are wary of hiring new graduates.
- Hiring managers say recent graduates are unprepared for the job market, can’t handle the workload and are unprofessional.
- 1 in 7 companies may avoid hiring new graduates next year.
- 9 out of 10 hiring managers say recent college graduates should be trained.
3 out of 4 companies report having problems hiring recent graduates
This year, 94% of companies reported hiring recent college graduates. Among these companies, only 25% say that all new graduate hires have worked well, and 62% say that only some have been successful. Also, 14% report that only some or none of the hires were successful.
The most commonly cited reasons were that recruiting young workers did not work in the end lack of motivation or initiative (50%)poor communication skills (39%) and lack of professionalism (46%). Other factors included difficulties with feedback (38%) and poor problem-solving skills (34%).
6 out of 10 companies recently fired a graduate this year
Most companies (79%) report that they have been forced to put at least some of these employees through a performance improvement process, and 60% report that some of them were fired in the end.
“Many recent graduates can find it difficult to enter the job market for the first time as it can be a stark contrast to what they experienced during their education. They are often unprepared for a less structured environment, the cultural dynamics of the workplace and the expectations of autonomy in the workplace. Although they may have some theoretical knowledge from university, practical knowledge from experience is often lacking and the “soft” skills needed to succeed in the work environment. These factors, combined with the expectations of more experienced workers, can create challenges for recent graduates and the companies they work for,” says Intelligent Education and Career Development Director Huy Nguyen.
“It’s easy for managers to take standard stereotypes about GEN Z and dismiss them outright. However, companies have an equal responsibility to prepare them for the specific job and give them the best opportunity to succeed. By understanding the challenges of GEN Z workers, companies can take a more proactive approach by implementing formal employee training programs that clearly outline company culture and expectations. Connecting recent graduates with mentors in the company can be of significant benefit as it can provide GEN Z workers guidance, feedback and support may you succeed.”
“They are unprepared for the labor market”
According to the survey, hiring managers have some concerns about new graduates at work.
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of the hiring managers surveyed believe that new college graduates are in demand, of which 63% believe they are easily offended. Moreover, more than half (55%) believe that they lack work ethicand 54% say they do not respond well to feedback. Likewise, 53% feel they are recent university graduates they are unprepared for the labor market and they believe they have poor communication skills.
“They should be trained”
More than 1/5 (21%) of hiring managers report that new graduates are often unable to handle the workload. About 20% say they are often late to start work, and 19% note that they rarely dress professionally. Furthermore, 19% find that often they do not use appropriate language for the jobalthough 18% note that they are often late for meetings. Around 17% believe that they are often too difficult to manage, and 15% reported that they often turn in work late.
Almost half of the hiring managers (46%) believe that they are college graduates they should definitely train about behavior in the office, and 42% think they probably should.
Currently, 54% of companies offer training, 48% make it mandatory for all new employees, 24% specifically require it for all GEN Z employees, and 16% mandate it for all employees in the company.
1 in 7 companies may not hire new university graduates in 2025
The majority (84%) of companies plan to hire new university graduates in 2025, while around 5% do not plan to do so, and 10% are not sure. For companies not planning to hire new graduates, the main reasons include unemployed (51%)concern about preparing GEN Z for the job market (31%), and high dropout rates among new graduates (31%).
1 in 6 hiring managers are wary of hiring new college graduates
A quarter of hiring managers say that company they would be delighted to hire a new graduateand 34% would feel sometimes. Finally, according to the same survey, around 25% feel neutral, while 13% are somewhat cautious and 4% extremely cautious.
These are supported by employers. It would certainly be a matter of great interest if the position of the other side were also present in the investigation.