This article about Gen Z workers talks about things like them not handling tough times well, expecting to move up very quickly, and struggling with talking to people face-to-face. My sales team needs people who can handle being told "no" a lot and can work hard for a long time. I'm seeing Gen Z applicants who look good on paper, but I'm still skeptical. Any advice on hiring younger people for sales roles? https://money.usnews.com/careers/articles/bosses-are-firing-gen-z-grads-what-young-workers-are-doing-wrong-and-how-to-avoid-it
I am Gen Z and while we do prefer work-life balance I think we bring in fresh energy and a unique perspective. We have instant access to info so we're quick learners and tech comes naturally to us. I think what we need is proper coaching and onboarding so we can exercise our skills confidently.
I tend not to put a lot of stock in generational stereotypes, and that article doesn't make a very convincing case. But one thing that rings true are the problems young people seem to have with communicating. I've met young people who have never read a newspaper, never watch the news, and honestly don't know much that hasn't been fed to them via their phone. Knowing a bunch of memes may be entertaining, but it's not particularly useful when you have to relate to people in a professional manner in the real world. This isn't true of all Gen Z people, of course, and even the ones living in a bubble may eventually break out of it. But it's concerning.
My advice is to ignore these stupid, sweeping generalizations. Every generation complains about the new one, and their gripes are almost always overblown, if not entirely unfounded. There is nothing inherent in a Gen Z candidate that renders them incapable of working hard and dealing with rejection. If they interview well and everything looks good on paper, they're worth giving a chance.
I’ve started focusing less on their background and more on how well they match the culture of our sales floor. If they’re coachable and curious, we can teach them the rest. But if they need constant validation, it’s probably not a fit.