Every week we comb through the news to find employment trends affecting the hospitality industry so you don’t have to. This week’s topic: employing gen Z.
Employing Gen Z: The New Workforce
Generation Z is described as those born in the mid-1990s to early-2000s, being the most recent addition to the workforce. Many consider this group to be “true digital natives”, exposed to the internet and social media from birth. Because this is the first generation we consider as truly immersed in the culture of instant connectivity, recruiting, hiring, and employing this diverse group will undoubtedly differ from those that came before them.
Gen Z and hospitality
Good news for the hospitality and food service industries; According to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, “73% of Gen Z think the restaurant industry is a good place to get a first job.” With historically low unemployment and the restaurant industry expected to add 1.6 million jobs by 2029, employing Gen Z can make a huge positive impact for the future of hospitality.
For staffing companies, this is a great demographic to target for hiring. By getting their industry start through temporary assignments, workers will get an accurate idea of what to expect in a restaurant setting.
How to engage
Unsurprisingly, 96% of Gen Z owns a smartphone. Including mobile technology in your operations is not only ideal, but often required when interacting with this tech-forward group. Consider using a mobile friendly application or interview process when sourcing these workers. Frequent mobile usage can lead to high engagement and fast communications between job seekers and employers.
In terms of engagement, it’s also important to note, “90% of Gen Z want a human element in their job.” Although mobile technology is prevalent in their day-to-day, it’s not meant to replace all personal connections. Maintain the human touch aspect by creating accessibility with this generation of workers. For example, while LGC has been integrating mobile technology across operations to streamline administrative activities, we’ve maintained our goal of fostering close relationships with job seekers.
The addition of Generation Z to the current workforce is a great opportunity to employers. Because of their interest in the hospitality industry, knowing how to interact and engage with this group can help ease hiring challenges.
Looking to get started in the hospitality industry? Apply with LGC today to learn about our available positions.