What are the job expectations of Generation Z?

What are the job expectations of young people from the so-called Generation Z? Are they saving for their retirement? Are they 100% virtual collaborators at work? 

Tec de Monterrey’s School of Business hosted the webinar “Financial Behavior and Job Expectations,” examining the habits of individuals between 15 and 30 years old.

Understanding their characteristics, values, and habits makes it possible to anticipate how they will influence the future and how organizations, companies, and governments will need to adapt to meet the needs of this generation, the panelists agreed.

The panel consisted of:

• Sergio Madero, leader of the Organizational Design and Culture Research Group at the Tec
• Víctor Moya, Co-founder and CEO of Bineo
• Francisco Orozco, leader in the Monterrey region of the School of Business’s FAIR Center
• Mauricio Reynoso, Director of the Mexican Association of Human Resources Directors (AMEDIRH)

The panel was moderated by Osmar Zavaleta, Associate Dean of Research at the Tec’s School of Business, who noted: “This is an important generation because currently about 25% of the population and 25% of the global workforce belongs to this group.”

What does Generation Z look for in a job opportunity?

By 2030, Generation Z will represent 60% of the workforce in Mexico, prompting experts to discuss how these young people will influence the future.

Sergio Madero, leader of the Organizational Design and Culture Research Group at the Tec’s School of Business, recently led a study on the work expectations of Generation Z.

What young people are looking for in a job:

• Getting experience
• Flexible or hybrid work model
• Attractive compensation
• Balance between monetary and emotional salary
• A different, non-traditional collaborator-leader relationship
• Generation of learning experiences

Madero noted that Gen Z is interested in pursuing a corporate career while also aspiring to become entrepreneurs.

“Work preferences are linked to the purpose of the job, its goals, and the importance of the environment they work in, whether it’s flexible, hybrid, or physical, and how well it aligns with a work-life balance,” he said.

Mauricio Reynoso, Director of the Mexican Association of Human Resources Directors (AMEDIRH), He added that Generation Z prioritizes the following items:

• Mental health
• Continuous growth
• Autenticity
• Shared values

 Madero added that Generation Z is also concerned about:

• Physical and emotional health
• Financial situation
• Corruption
• Insecurity
• Poverty
• Climate change
• Technology risks

Characteristics in companies young people seek

Generation Z seek employment in companies:

• Created by and for young people
• Flexible
• Adaptable
• With positive leadership
• With diversity (not only in gender)
• That allow them to grow professionally

“Today, people decide whether to join an organization based on how much they identify with the corporate culture and values of the organization and how closely these align with their personal values,” Reynoso said.

These young people look for professional and personal recognition, as well as rapid career growth through challenging projects that enable them to excel in the organization, he said.

“Let’s keep in mind, leaders, that today we’re facing a significant challenge to traditional models. It’s not about changing the essence of people or organizations but about adapting work styles.

“The design of an organization should be highly flexible rather than rigid, moving away from hierarchical structures as quickly as possible to attract the best talent available to the organization.”

Active listening, accompaniment, and immediacy

Víctor Moya, Co-founder and CEO of Mexican digital bank Bineo, explained that they had to develop new models and work schemes focused on attracting Generation Z talent.

Moya said that this bank is targeting Gen Z clients who lead digital lives. They are looking for personalized experiences, instant access, and simple financial management in the palm of their hands, with 24/7 attention and security.

“We see that this generation marks a turning point for many more people to adopt this type of solution. This is what sets us apart as a 100 percent digital bank from traditional banking,” Moya said.

Gen Z saves for entertainment, not retirement

Francisco Orozco, leader of the Monterrey Region of the Tec’s Center for Financial Access, Inclusion, and Research (FAIR), said that a study on investing habits and planning for the future shows that Gen Z saves consciously, but primarily for entertainment, such as concerts, festivals, and travel.

Reynoso added that Gen Z is not preparing financially for their retirement.

“It’s not on this generation’s agenda. We don’t see it. I’m not generalizing. There must be exceptions, but we don’t see it.”

Este panel estuvo moderado por Osmar Zavaleta, decano asociado de Investigación de la Escuela de Negocios del Tec, quien destacó: “Es una generación relevante, porque actualmente cerca del 25 % de la población y 25 % de la fuerza laboral mundial pertenece a esta población”.

“This generation (...) does not even see the possibility of a retirement plan on its distant horizon.” -Mauricio Reynoso

Participants from the business community, students, and alumni of Tec de Monterrey who joined the webinar had the opportunity to ask questions, which the experts addressed.

This webinar took place on March 12. See the panel here.

Watch the Gen Z series (in Spanish) here:

READ MORE: