How is GenZ Changing Talent Acquisition?
By Jody Bell
We know that GenZ is different. As one of the most socially aware, passionate, and innovative generations seen — according to Girls With Impact’s recent report, 60% of us want to personally create something world changing.
As many of us enter our college years, or even the workplace, major corporations are being adopting more socially aware practices to attract GenZ talent.
Jennifer Openshaw, CEO of Girls With Impact, spoke with Anthony Sandrik to explore this — uncovering how companies and their hiring practices are changing to prepare for GenZ. Sandrik is the current Global Head of Talent at Omidyar Network — an investment firm established in 2004 by the founder of eBay. He was also the Vice President of executive recruitment at WPP, and has an extensive background in talent acquisition and recruiting.
How are companies changing due to GenZ?
Many are focusing on their “talent brand” — which is essentially the perception that potential new employees have of the company.
Specifically, companies are adopting inclusive hiring processes, philanthropic goals, and sustainable practices to create a talent brand that is impact oriented and appealing to GenZ. Many are even hiring Corporate Social Responsibility heads and departments that are solely responsible for incorporating philanthropy and social awareness into the culture of the company.
How does this “talent brand” affect the recruitment process?
As companies become more socially conscious their recruitment process must fundamentally change as well — here’s how Sandrik’s work within recruitment altered in light of this shift.
Focusing on inclusion — Seeking out and hiring diverse candidates is no longer enough. Sandrik points out that the major focus has now shifted to inclusivity. Before posting job descriptions, he runs them through an application that flags word choice that may not be inclusive. This way he is able to attract diverse candidates who feel welcome in the company.
Casting a wide net — Sandrik believes in the value of diversity, and truly the only way to achieve this is through opening positions within his company to a wide array of applicants. He mentions that he speaks to schools, and searches out underrepresented niches where he could post his openings. This way, he isn’t limiting the application pool to one specific subset of individuals.
Internal equity reviews — Diverse representation within companies is crucial, however, it’s truly just the tip of the iceberg. Sandrik mentions that there are various internal reviews that also study the retention rates of diverse employees, along with pay scales to ensure that employees are paid equitable and fairly across the board.
For a generation that is as activism-oriented as ours, it is crucial to agree with and understand the core values of whatever company you find yourself in. So, next time you are looking into a company for a potential internship or job, ask about their recruitment process, and how they push for an inclusive culture. Agreeing with these values and the mission of your company will provide you with the fulfillment needed to remain happy in your position long-term.
Jody Bell, 19, is Girls With Impact’s Editor in Chief and a program graduate. Girls With Impact is the nation’s only online, after-school, entrepreneurship program for teen girls, turning them into tomorrow’s business leaders and innovators.