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The new generation of workers

JobStreet

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Photo source: Unsplash" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/advertorial/03/09/the-youth.jpg"/><figcaption>Photo source: <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/g1Kr4Ozfoac">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure></div><p>A global research report from Cushman &amp; Wakefield called <a href="https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/news/2020/01/demographic-shifts-the-world-in-2030-report#:~:text=Entitled%20%E2%80%9CDemographic%20Shifts%3A%20The%20World,over%20the%20next%2010%20years">&#x27;&#x27;Demographic Shifts: The World in 2030&#x27;&#x27;</a> mentioned that soon there will be a seismic demographic change in the workforce as Millennials and Generation Z (Gen Z) will soon become the dominant generation across all industries. </p><p>What does this mean? As the younger generation has different traits and priorities, experts are expecting massive changes in the very nature of work. That is why it becomes important to get to know these young workers early. </p><p>In an attempt to help the youth discover their generational strengths, aid HR practitioners and talent recruiters in preparing for this new generation of workers, one of the leading online employment marketplaces in Asia JobStreet held an online discussion. Here, experts were able to paint a picture of the youth today and their expectations when it comes to employment. </p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&amp;v=267543602216771" data-width="auto"> </div><div><strong>The youth today</strong></div><p>To start, how can one describe the youth today? Ingram Micro&#x27;s Senior Manager - Talent Acquisition Rina Lingan sums it up nicely in one word. Agile. Why? According to Lingan, that is because the youth can take on multiple roles and are equipped with multiple skills. They have the innate ability to adapt to different roles or different situations and face challenges head-on. Apart from being agile, Ingram Micro&#x27;s Tech Support Team Manager Michael Opol said that they are passionate individuals who are hungry for success. </p><p>As individuals who will soon enter the workforce in a much different situation compared to previous generations, they have certain expectations when looking for a job. Stephanie Cyril Robles, Associate Professional - Service Quality Assurance from Ingram Micro, shared that the youth are looking for a career opportunity that can provide them with financial stability but apart from the salary and company benefits like medical insurance and allowances, they are looking for engagement and purpose in their chosen careers. </p><p>They are compelled to make a positive impact in other people&#x27;s lives and make a contribution to their community. This can perhaps be attributed to the fact that they are also a generation that is active when it comes to &#x27;&#x27;woke&#x27;&#x27; topics such as politics, the environment, and gender. </p><p>Robles said, &#x27;&#x27;I guess the most important thing is that they are not afraid to express themselves on it and just really add value to the topic at hand.&#x27;&#x27; It may also be because these people grew up in an environment where everyone is entitled to their own opinion and are given different platforms to express themselves freely. </p><p>Speaking of diversity and inclusion, experts are also seeing that this generation is more accepting of any person, regardless of their preference, gender, age, or race. They want companies that do not discriminate based on those things as well. </p><p>&#x27;&#x27;I would say that they are open to working with different types of people in the Philippines and globally, and have been more adaptable in dealing with different kinds of personalities,&#x27;&#x27; shared Opol who are working with a significant number of Gen Zs in their organization. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="x" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/advertorial/03/09/traits.jpg"/><figcaption>Shifting to a virtual workspace has helped ease generational gaps in the workforce. Photo source: JobStreet</figcaption></figure></div><div><strong>Gen Zs in the workspace</strong></div><p>The same report from Cushman &amp; Wakefield showed that although the youth are digital natives and are technologically capable, it can sometimes be at the expense of emotional and social skills. Increased time interacting with technology via smartphones can lead to reduced in-person interaction and potentially high mental health strain. That is why they need to be handled carefully. But they are poised to become assets to any company as they are highly-motivated, driven, and competitive.</p><p>&#x27;&#x27;Gen Zs are very unique because having grown up in this age of rapid innovation, they tend to expect more and because they can easily adapt and there is more technology available to them nowadays,&#x27;&#x27; said Lingan. &#x27;&#x27;When it comes to work, Gen Zs tend to be very realistic and independent. They do not want to be micromanaged; they like to have their own workspace with a range of technology available. And this enables them to work independently and freely. So, the freedom aspect to do the things that they want is very important for them.&#x27;&#x27;</p><p>One of the reasons why they do not like being micromanaged is because they want the opportunity to grow and showcase their talents while also improving their skills. And because they have access to technology, they have more creative ways on how to do things so they can multitask and achieve different things at once. </p><p>A stigma attached to the youth is that they do not like being tied down to one company and will job hop. Lingan explained that it is because Gen Zs know what they want and will strive to find a job not just to earn money but where they have a deeper sense of purpose. With the ease of technology at their fingertips, they will leave and look elsewhere if they do not find that in their current job. </p><div><strong>Changes caused by the health crisis</strong></div><p>It is undeniable that the health crisis has caused permanent changes all over the world. In the workplace, it has pushed organizations to hasten their migration to the virtual space and experience has proven that it is possible to work in this setup productively. </p><p>&#x27;&#x27;Workers all throughout the world had to adapt to this virtual workspace and learn to collaborate in more creative ways,&#x27;&#x27; said Opol. </p><p>Coming from this situation, young workers are expecting a flexible working environment. They want the option to work at home and in the office. As global citizens, this arrangement is preferred by Gen Zs as they like the flexibility of working in a hybrid environment where they can choose to work in international companies without leaving the country. </p><p>&#x27;&#x27;And the more diverse and dynamic the workplace is, the better for these people simply because they have been in the comforts of their own home for quite a while,&#x27;&#x27; Robles added.</p><p>To help the youth prepare for the job hunt in this situation, Opol advised them to start by identifying their skill sets, abilities, and wants. Before they start looking for a job, they need to know what they want to achieve in life and to identify their must-haves and non-negotiables in their employment. This will help them choose the right career and be placed in a company that will help support them in achieving that. </p><p>&#x27;&#x27;They have to really know what their passion is,&#x27;&#x27; continued Robles. &#x27;&#x27;Second is that which company offers that for them? Which company can provide them with the opportunity to grow, gain mobility within the company, showcase their talent, and upgrade their skills?&#x27;&#x27;</p><p>&#x27;&#x27;I would advise the Gen Z or the youth to continue to be agile, to continue to be tech-savvy, and to continue to upskill themselves so that they can continue to grow in the organization and perhaps take on multiple roles as they want. I mean, promotions nowadays are not just vertical movements, but it could also be lattice movements,&#x27;&#x27; said Lingan. </p><p>They can also utilize the technology at hand to look for opportunities online. Platforms like JobStreet Philippines and <a href="https://careers.ingrammicro.com/search/jobs/in/country/philippines">Ingram Micro</a> have a variety of jobs available that anyone can apply to. There are even Virtual Career Fairs like the one JobStreet recently held from March 9 to 11 that offered thousands of positions in tech and digital roles. Opportunities are everywhere, the youth only need to be diligent and determined in looking for them.</p><p>These are just some things that can help anyone – from younger Millennials to Gen Zs, and even older workers displaced by the health crisis – find work that they love and one that will help sustain them in this ever-changing, challenging landscape. </p><div><strong>To find your passion and get work that you will love, visit JobStreet Philippines&#x27; <a href="https://www.jobstreet.com">website </a>or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JobStreetPhilippines">Facebook page</a>. Get work inspiration, advice, and motivation <a href="https://getwork.jobstreet.com.ph/">here</a>. #LetsGetToWork</strong></div>

Get to know the new generation of workers that will soon make their mark in the workspace.