Gen Z Challenges Traditional Hiring Practices: A Call for Change

Generation Z is reshaping hiring practices by rejecting lengthy processes, unpaid tasks, and favoring transparent, two-way interviews. This shift challenges traditional methods, pushing employers to adapt and create more equitable, candidate-friendly recruitment processes as Gen Z becomes the dominant workforce demographic.

A recent article in Fortune highlighted this generational divide, illustrating the case of a Gen Z job seeker who declined to complete a 90-minute financial modeling task during the hiring process. The applicant cited the task’s length and the uncertainty about their standing in the application process as reasons for their refusal, viewing the assignment as unpaid labor—a sentiment shared by many Gen Z candidates.

According to a study by Jobera, 68% of Gen Z candidates quit the hiring process midway due to its complexity and length. This statistic underscores the growing frustration with hiring practices that are perceived as overly time-consuming and impersonal.

This dissatisfaction has not gone unnoticed by employers. In response, nearly 40% of employers have turned to older candidates, citing concerns about Gen Z’s professionalism and readiness, as reported by The New York Post. Consequently, about 60% of employers are increasingly willing to offer higher salaries and more benefits to attract older workers, prioritizing them over recent graduates.

Despite these challenges, Gen Z continues to reshape the hiring landscape. Unlike previous generations, they approach job interviews as two-way evaluations rather than one-sided assessments. “Gen Z is not looking to jump through hoops but to engage meaningfully,” said Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, CEO, Her Campus Media. This perspective often leads to a rejection of outdated recruitment practices, such as lengthy or unpaid tasks, in favor of a more transparent and engaging approach.

A LinkedIn poll further emphasizes the growing concern over unpaid labor in the hiring process. Of 150 respondents, 85% reported being asked to complete unpaid work during job interviews, with many candidates dedicating hours without compensation. Specifically, 21% spent up to two hours, 44% spent between three and five hours, and 19% were asked to contribute over six hours of unpaid labor. 

In response to this shift, some companies are adapting their hiring practices. Interview questions are being provided in advance, and "trick" questions are being replaced with more meaningful discussions. As Kaplan Lewis explained, “Gen Z sees job interviews as a two-way street. They want to know why they should work for a company, and they expect transparency and respect from employers.” This evolving dynamic highlights the urgency for companies to reassess their recruitment methods to attract and retain the best talent.

As Gen Z surpasses baby boomers in workforce representation, Aaron Terrazas, Chief Economist at Glassdoor, emphasizes the need for businesses to modernize hiring practices. To foster mutual understanding and ensure successful workplace integration, companies must shift away from outdated expectations and embrace a more candidate-friendly approach.