A survey carried out by Intelligent finds that employers are avoiding recent college graduates and instead opting to hire older professionals.
The study finds that the younger generation, many of whom are Gen Zers, have failed to make an impression on potential employers for various reasons, including a lack of motivation, seeking absurd compensation, and many even bringing parents to interviews.
Intelligent Study Brings Forth Shocking Results
Over 800 business managers, executives, and directors who play an active role in the hiring process were asked various questions by the team carrying out the survey.
According to the survey results from Intelligent, nearly 40% of those involved in the hiring process claim to prefer hiring older professionals as opposed to college undergrads.
Trying to Win Over the Older Professionals
The survey was funded by an online magazine, Intelligent, which typically focuses on the life of students.
Surprising results show that companies across the nation are willing to offer higher salaries and greater benefits to older professionals as they aren’t happy with the younger candidates.
Gen-Z Aren’t Making A Great Impression
Much of the younger generation entering the workforce for the first time are Gen Zers.
According to the employers who participated in the survey, they prefer older professionals, as many Gen Zers continuously fail to make a good impression during interviews.
Problems Arising With the New Generation
Employers claim that a large portion of Gen Zers typically want to be overcompensated for the position they’re applying for, even if they lack experience.
Others claim many of the younger college graduate applicants have difficulty making eye contact.
Bringing Parents to Interviews
While most employers are relatively lenient during interviews, many admit they were surprised by the number of younger applicants who showed up in entirely inappropriate clothing.
Some of the younger generation even went as far as to bring a parent to sit in during an interview.
Gen Z Struggles With Professional Behavior
According to Intelligent, it appears many employers are frustrated with the lack of professional behavior in the younger generation.
But, according to Diane M. Hayeski, there could be a reason behind the unprofessional behavior experienced by potential employers.
Pandemic Has Brought On Anti-Social Behavior
Hayeski believes employers “need to recognize that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, young people graduating from college had more than two years of disruption in their education as well as their social and professional development.”
She continued, “Current seniors were in their freshman year at the height of COVID. They likely took classes online and were unable to participate in clubs, internships, or summer jobs.”
Difficult to Work With
While Hayeski may have a point with her explanation for the social behavior of the younger generation, some employers believe they are just hard to work with.
According to the survey, over 65% of employers claim that college graduates struggle to handle a challenging workload and come off as fairly entitled in the workplace.
Younger Generation Is Easily Offended
A large portion of the survey’s participants also agree that many of the younger generation have poor communication skills and struggle to accept constructive criticism.
Nearly 60% of employers also argue that it’s difficult to joke with college graduates as they are easily offended.
Major Companies Concerned for Gen Z
As more and more Gen Zers enter the corporate world, some of the largest companies have voiced their concern about the new era of employees.
Deloitte, KPMG, and PWC all argue that many potential employees who graduated from college during the COVID-19 pandemic struggle with office etiquette and basic communication.
Offering a Helping Hand
This has led to larger firms offering specific classes to help the younger generation become more accustomed to working in an office setting.
Many of the classes are centered on simple skills such as how to write emails and work as a team member, and some even help employees follow the dress code.
