Salary is important. But, even before that, personal gratification and a good balance between duty and pleasure come first. And, above all, a certain flexibility in its execution. This is the formula for the perfect job offer according to Generation Z. It was revealed by 2,500 high school students who participated in the third edition of the observatory “Youth and Orientation“, the survey conducted by Skuola.net in collaboration with Gi Group – the first Italian-owned employment agency – which annually takes stock of the relationship between the new generations approaching graduation and a world, like that of trades and professions, which they will soon have to turn to.
Maturity, the protest of the 3 students from Venice: they showed up for the oral exam without taking the interview. In the end, they were promoted
Passion is the driving force
Indeed, when asked to indicate the most important characteristics that a job should have to be attractive, the girls and boys about to enter the job market distribute themselves as follows: 2 out of 3 select affinity with their passions, only secondly – cited by almost 6 out of 10 – comes the amount of the salary, while 1 out of 2 would like to find the right balance between private and professional life (the so-called “work-life balance”).
Flexibility: more than a goal, it’s a necessity
However, another element seems to unite the generation born from remote learning: “flexibility” in terms of hours or location, considered important if not essential by 8 out of 10. This is because, according to GenZ, the salary should not be set aside in banks or funds, but is mainly used to build a life project, with or without a partner, or to enjoy life by traveling and making the most of free time. The preferred work arrangement? By far, in-person work, but with a “short week” or, alternatively, a good part-time.
The goal is economic independence
But work, from an individual perspective, also means “goals.” What goals do today’s young people primarily set for themselves? Certainly achieving that personal and economic stability which, in recent times, seems more like a utopia: 34% of respondents put it at the top of their list. The need to have the means to afford to maintain a home, a family, perhaps with children, is felt even more strongly within the female component – that social group which almost always struggles more to achieve it – where it reaches 38% of preferences.
In comparison, other goals that can be achieved through employment seem marginal or at least not the primary ones. On the second step of the podium, indicated by 15% of respondents, is the search for an opportunity that mainly allows them to travel and discover the world, which goes hand in hand with the need to have a lot of free time (a priority for 9%). In third place, tied, are the desire to change and improve the world, at least in the area in which they will engage, but also to become “someone” in their field: these are the main work goals for 12% of graduates. Finally, there are those who aspire to financial well-being outright (11%) or fame in the absolute sense (5%).
Agile, sustainable, and secure: this is the job according to Gen Z
Returning, however, to the more detailed profile of a theoretically dream job for everyone, the first steps of the value scale have already been reviewed: affinity with one’s passions (selected by 63%), salary (57% of votes), work-life balance (50%). And the rest of the ranking? It includes, in order: career prospects (37%), usefulness to people (26%), job security (22%). Closing the list, less considered, are respect for the environment (15%) and social recognition (15%).
But, as already mentioned, distinguishing between boys and girls, things can change significantly. The latter, for example, place even more emphasis on nurturing passions (69%) and “work-life balance” (55%). The former, on the other hand, focus more on the notoriety derived from work (19%) and on being useful to the community (28%).
Finally, it seems appropriate to highlight the main theme of the survey: flexibility in performing one’s duties. For 80% of young people, it is the real priority: 49% say it is important, 31% even essential. However, the most preferred solution might surprise. Indeed, as seen, it is not, as someone might think, a completely “remote” job, fully embracing the philosophy of smart working or “digital nomadism”: overall, only 14% of the sample would embrace it.
On the contrary, human contact is hard to give up. 37% would like a “hybrid” form, with an equal division of days in-person and “remote” days. Even more, 47% would opt for intermediate formulations, with almost constant presence but shorter work shifts, like the “short week,” which is being discussed a lot these days. However, even on this hypothetical flexibility, the paths of girls and boys tend to diverge: the former strongly push for “cutting” working hours, raising the figure to 52%; the latter are the main supporters of 100% “remote” work, bringing it to 24% of the votes.
The survey
“The results of this third survey conducted in collaboration with Skuola.net confirm how much GenZ, approaching entry into the job market, attributes great value to personal gratification and flexibility when thinking about their professional future. Indeed, the research shows that for one in two young people, finding the right balance between work and private life is fundamental in choosing a job – states Elena Sensi, Marketing & Communication Director of Gi Group Holding Italy – We strongly believe in the importance of listening to the new generations to learn about their needs and aspirations and be ready to provide them with support to face the future consciously. This is why we are increasingly committed to getting closer to their spaces and languages, in synergy with the world of Education and companies, with initiatives and orientation activities aimed at facilitating the transition from student to worker. This so that everyone can develop their potential and find their own way to achieve personal and professional fulfillment”. “In Italy, the younger segment of Generation Z, currently occupying the entire five-year period of high school – underlines Daniele Grassucci, director of Skuola.net – differs significantly from the common narrative we have been accustomed to: although they are convinced and practicing environmentalists, only a minority puts sustainability or the environmental impact of the job they will perform at the top of their priority list. Much more important, instead, is satisfying their personal and financial needs, with the almost indispensable need to be flexible to enjoy a good ‘work-life balance'”.
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