Hiring • 8 MIN. LEESTIJD
Waarom Gen Z moeilijker te werven is dan u denkt
MAR 20, 2026
Generation Z is entering the workforce with different expectations. Here is what recruiters and HR leaders need to understand to attract and retain them.
Wie is generatie Z?
Generatie Z, in brede zin gedefinieerd als degenen die zijn geboren tussen 1997 en 2012, is de eerste generatie die volledig is opgegroeid met smartphones en sociale media. De oudste Gen Z-medewerkers zijn inmiddels in hun late twintiger jaren; de jongste betreden net de arbeidsmarkt. Tegen 2030 zullen zij ongeveer 30% van de wereldwijde beroepsbevolking uitmaken. Hun waarden, verwachtingen en werkstijlen begrijpen is voor werkgevers geen nice-to-have: het is een zakelijke noodzaak.
Wat Gen Z echt van werk wil
Research consistently shows that Gen Z prioritises job security and financial stability above most other factors, which challenges the stereotype that they are primarily motivated by purpose and flexibility. They do value meaningful work and psychological safety, but they also want competitive pay, clear career progression, and a manager who supports their development. They are significantly more likely than previous generations to talk openly about mental health, to expect their employer to take wellbeing seriously, and to leave if they do not.
Where traditional recruitment processes fail them
Gen Z candidates have grown up with instant feedback loops. A recruitment process that takes six weeks, involves four rounds of interviews, and provides no status update between stages will lose them to an employer who moves in two weeks and communicates throughout. They also conduct extensive research on employers before applying: Glassdoor reviews, LinkedIn posts, social media presence, and the careers page all form their impression. An outdated careers page or a poor Glassdoor rating will reduce your application rate among this cohort.
Uw aanpak aanpassen
Speed up your hiring process, target two to three weeks from application to offer for most roles. Communicate at every stage, even if the message is only that a decision has been delayed. Be transparent about salary in the job advertisement, since Gen Z is significantly more likely than older candidates to bypass applications with no stated range. During onboarding, assign a peer mentor in addition to a line manager: Gen Z learn well from peers and value social connection at work.
