Let’s flip the narrative: Why we need to talk to Gen Z, not about them

If you search the internet for tips or advice regarding what Gen Z young professionals should know as they enter the workforce, ironically, you will only find the opposite of what you’re looking for. “Everything employers need to know about Gen Z,” “Understanding Gen Z in the workplace,” and “Meet the typical Gen Z worker,” are just a few examples of the headlines that appear when you Google the phrase: “What Gen Z needs to know entering the workforce.” The abundance of content geared toward employers regarding how to get to know the Gen Z employee is great for established professionals and companies at large, however, this leaves a huge gap in content directed at this young generation as they embark on their journey into the professional world.

With May graduation looming, not only will these incoming Gen Z workers have to navigate working with a multigenerational workforce, but for many of them, it will also be their first time being exposed to HR paperwork and benefits packages. According to Employee Benefits News, Gen Z employees are seeking more one-on-one support and education on even just basic benefits logistics and terminology. These individuals currently lack supplemental content (articles, videos, op-eds, etc.) that could help provide them with some of this foundational knowledge, because the narrative has been so heavily focused on what non-Gen Zers need to know.

So, how can this narrative be flipped? Employers and industry writers alike can play a huge role in creating content with the goal of educating incoming Gen Z employees about their colleagues in different generational groups, basic HR and benefits terminology, personal finance, and related early career topics. It may seem like some of these are common sense or could be self-explanatory, however, most people starting a new job are unfamiliar with these topics which can easily overwhelm young professionals while they try to balance their new workload. Clear, concise, and intentional content specifically written to help educate and guide Gen Z employees can serve as excellent support for this demographic. Especially in an era where virtual onboarding is increasingly prevalent, employers could better provide this information during the onboarding process for their new Gen Z employees. Training, a business development magazine, lends some helpful tips on how to successfully onboard the new Gen Z workforce virtually.

Related: Meet Gen Z: How to reach them with new tools and new approaches

What forms of content would be most helpful though? Short-form pieces such as quick-reference guides (with benefits terminology, for example), brief videos, and even short articles filled with advice, are all helpful tools that can help reduce anxiety and confusion. And if these individuals are less stressed with these aspects of work, they will be more productive and engaged employees. With the transitional nature of starting a new career and navigating life after college, Gen Z employees could truly benefit from employers and industry experts changing the narrative from what others need to know about Gen Z, to what Gen Z individuals themselves need to know as they begin this new chapter of life.