Understanding Generation Z Expectations for Effective Onboarding21.04.2023

Understanding Generation Z Expectations for Effective Onboarding

Generation Z, also known as Gen Z or iGeneration, is the demographic cohort that follows the millennials. According to Heritage.com, the current employment crisis is characterized by an unprecedented labor shortage. The report highlights that employment rates have declined by 9.2% among workers 65 and older and by 3.0% among Generation Z workers aged 20-24. Generation Z, born between 1996 and 2012, is a technology-savvy and enthusiastic group representing a huge proportion of the world's population: 2.47 billion or 32% of the world's 7.7 billion people. However, attracting and retaining this generation in the labor market takes time and effort.

As a result, understanding the unique characteristics of this generation is essential to creating successful inclusion.

What is Generation Z like? Let's see!

Key Differences Between Generation Z and Millennials

While Generation Z shares some traits with the millennials, there are significant differences between the two generations. The most notable difference is their upbringing. Unlike millennials who grew up during the economic boom, Gen Z experienced the effects of the 2008 financial crisis and the subsequent recession. Consequently, they are more risk-averse and financially conscious.

Another key difference is their relationship with technology. While millennials were digital natives, Gen Z was born into a world where technology was already ubiquitous. As a result, they are more comfortable with technology and have higher expectations for its use in the workplace.

The younger generation, specifically Generation Z, has faced significant challenges in their workforce transition or current employment status. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a concerning decline in mental health among young people, which the ongoing crisis has only exacerbated. School closures and stay-at-home orders have created additional hardships for those from less-than-ideal home environments. Unfortunately, many young people have turned to social media, which has worsened the situation. A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research in December 2022 found that individuals between the ages of 20-29 are 50 percent more likely to report experiencing mental health issues than their older counterparts.

Understanding the Characteristics of Generation Z in the Workplace

Gen Z is known for its entrepreneurial mindset, strong work ethic, and desire for meaningful work. They prioritize work-life balance and flexibility in the workplace. They value open communication and transparency and prefer to work collaboratively. Additionally, they are socially conscious and prioritize impacting the world positively.

The Importance of Effective Onboarding for Generation Z

Effective onboarding is crucial for Gen Z because it sets the tone for their experience in the workplace.

Integration is crucial in providing a good workplace experience for Generation Z. Effective onboarding can enhance engagement, retention, and productivity.

It is critical to start right from the new hire's first day. During the first week, making them feel welcome and engaged is essential. To integrate Generation Z into the workforce, which values belonging and work-life balance, relationship building should be the central focus of the onboarding process. According to LaSalle Network, "a sense of belonging" is one of the top three concerns for Gen Z when entering the workforce. Therefore, creating an interactive online experience that answers all their queries is essential. Personal video chats are more engaging than pre-recorded introductions. It is necessary to provide them with the contact information of the concerned person and arrange group and one-to-one meetings tailored to their needs.

Measuring the Effectiveness of Onboarding for Generation Z

Organizations should focus on engagement, retention, and productivity metrics to measure the effectiveness of onboarding for Gen Z. They can use surveys and feedback to understand the experience of new hires and make improvements accordingly. Additionally, they can track metrics such as time to productivity and performance to gauge the effectiveness of their onboarding program.

Best Practices for Digital Onboarding to Meet the Expectations of Generation Z

Digital onboarding is essential to meet the expectations of Gen Z. They prefer a seamless and interactive experience personalized to their needs. Some best practices for digital onboarding include videos and interactive content to engage the process. Providing access to resources and tools that help new hires get up to speed quickly. Additionally, organizations can use chatbots and other AI-powered tools to offer support and answer questions 24/7.

To motivate and engage Gen Z during the onboarding process, organizations should focus on creating a personalized experience.

They should provide opportunities for new hires to connect with their colleagues and understand the company culture. Additionally, they should provide clear expectations and goals and offer opportunities for growth and development.

Tools and Technologies for Successful Onboarding of Generation Z

Many tools and technologies can help organizations to provide a successful onboarding experience for Generation Z employees. These include learning management systems (LMS), video conferencing tools, chatbots, and mobile apps. LMS can provide access to training and development resources, while video conferencing tools can facilitate virtual meetings and training sessions. Chatbots can provide support and answer questions and mobile apps can provide access to corporate resources and information.

All the above mentioned methods have benefits, but using them with gamification can result in greater efficiency. Gamification can engage learners by creating a sense of adventure or challenge. Adults enjoy playing games, which makes it an attractive way of learning. Additionally, well-gamified learning material can provide immediate feedback, which motivates learners to perform better. Scoreboards, leaderboards, and medals can be used to track progress and provide rewards. Badges and other incentives, such as gift cards or extra holidays, can increase motivation. Furthermore, a pre-onboarding process can help prospective employees get to know the company and its values in an early, but very critical stage.

Examples of Successful Onboarding Experiences for Generation Z

Several companies have created successful onboarding experiences for Gen Z.

For example, Deloitte uses a gamified onboarding process that includes virtual reality and interactive content. It helps new hires understand the company culture and values while making the process engaging and interactive.

Another example is Airbnb, which provides a personalized onboarding experience that includes a welcome kit and access to a mentor.

A new pre-boarding process was introduced in October 2022 at the Hungarian Bankholding with the help of Games for Business. In the first six months, the gamified learning platform has guided more than 650 new recruits as their virtual 'buddy' through the process.

The platform provides flexible learning, allowing users to progress at their own pace. It enables the user to identify with the protagonist and thus playfully complete the "mission." The learning materials are designed according to the bite-sized learning methodology, so that the user learns through quizzes integrated into the mission.

The platform, which is optimized for various desktop and mobile layouts, uses micro-learning methodology, real-life activities, a complex reward system, instant feedback, and progress tracking to increase engagement. In addition, environmental sustainability-related activities and messages are built into the mission to encourage users to think eco-consciously. Customized visuals are used to help connect new hires to different locations within the bank. In addition, new contents and learning paths can be added to the platform in the future for further development.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Gen Z is a unique generation with different expectations and values than previous generations. To create a successful onboarding experience, organizations should focus on creating a personalized, interactive, and engaging process. They should use digital tools and technologies to meet the expectations of Gen Z and track metrics to measure the effectiveness of their onboarding program. By understanding the characteristics of Gen Z and adapting their onboarding processes accordingly, organizations can increase retention, engagement, and productivity.

Contact our team today to learn more about effective onboarding for Gen Z.

The article was written by Réka Dobó

Source:

Back

Leaving already?

Let us show you how to convey knowledge to your employees in an engaging way!

Request our demo or case study now