• 3,000 firms
  • Independent
  • Trusted
Save up to 70% on staff

News » 3 in 10 U.S. managers avoid hiring Gen Z – survey 

3 in 10 U.S. managers avoid hiring Gen Z – survey 

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — Thirty-one percent of managers in the United States avoid hiring Gen Z candidates for entry-level positions, preferring older workers instead, according to a recent ResumeBuilder survey of 782 U.S. employers.

During interviews, issues cited with Gen Z candidates included inappropriate attire (58%), poor eye contact (57%), and unreasonable pay demands (47%).

Once hired, 60% of managers felt Gen Z employees exhibited a sense of entitlement and 59% said they get offended too easily. Over half (57%) said Gen Z workers lack work ethic, motivation, and communication skills. 

Meanwhile, 30% of managers admitted to having fired a Gen Z employee within their first month on the job. 

“Unlike previous generations, Gen Z faced unique challenges in acquiring foundational workplace skills because of COVID-19,” said ResumeBuilder Chief Career Advisor Stacie Haller.

“Many Gen Zers spent their college years predominantly in remote or hybrid settings, and upon entering the workforce, they often started in remote roles. This departure from the traditional in-person learning environment impacted their ability to hone crucial skills.”

She advised Gen Z candidates to showcase adaptability, technological competence, collaboration abilities, and resilience during the hiring process. 

The ResumeBuilder survey echoes a December 2023 report by Intelligent.com, where 38% of American employers avoid hiring recent college graduates who are “unprepared for the workforce.”

Meanwhile, a study by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) revealed that young workers’ productivity dips under older managers.

An expert on the future of work, Ravin Jesuthasan, global leader for transformation services at Mercer consulting, also said that Gen Z prefers living over working because they have seen “the legacy of broken promises” from employers such as benefit pension and retiree medical care.

On the other hand, Glassdoor describes Gen Z as “caring deeply about community connections, about having their voices heard in the workplace, about transparent and responsive leadership, and about diversity and inclusion”. Gen Z is poised to overtake Baby Boomers this year as the most populous generation in the U.S. workforce.

Start your
journey today

  • Independent
  • Free
  • Transparent

About OA

Outsource Accelerator is the trusted source of independent information, advisory and expert implementation of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)

The #1 outsourcing authority

Outsource Accelerator offers the world’s leading aggregator marketplace for outsourcing. It specifically provides the conduit between Philippines outsourcing suppliers and the businesses – clients – across the globe.

The Outsource Accelerator website has over 5,000 articles, 450+ podcast episodes, and a comprehensive directory with 4000+ BPO companies… all designed to make it easier for clients to learn about – and engage with – outsourcing.

About Derek Gallimore

Derek Gallimore has been in business for 20 years, outsourcing for over eight years, and has been living in Manila (the heart of global outsourcing) since 2014. Derek is the founder and CEO of Outsource Accelerator, and is regarded as a leading expert on all things outsourcing.

“Excellent service for outsourcing advice and expertise for my business.”

Learn more
Banner Image
Get 3 Free Quotes Verified Outsourcing Suppliers
3,000 firms.Just 2 minutes to complete.
SAVE UP TO
70% ON STAFF COSTS
Learn more

Connect with over 3,000 outsourcing services providers.

Banner Image

Transform your business with skilled offshore talent.

  • 3,000 firms
  • Simple
  • Transparent
Banner Image