IMD business school for management and leadership courses

Brain Circuits
Do you know how to attract the best Gen Z talent?
Published April 25, 2025 in Brain Circuits • 3 min read
Gen Z is often drawn to the dynamic nature of purpose-filled startups in career terms. Test your knowledge of the cohort here – and read on to see how established companies can compete for Gen Z talent.

Time's up
Six tips to attract Gen Z talent
1 Take their concerns seriously and respond positively
Gen Z is increasingly willing to reject assignments – or even employers – that don’t align with their values. Addressing this concern can help increase employee motivation and loyalty.
2 Communicate a clear purpose
Communicate a clear organizational purpose to Gen Zers (provided it’s genuine!). Clarity around processes, responsibilities, and expectations also plays well.
3 Implement flexible working arrangements
Gen Z workers often struggle with traditional corporate working arrangements, so implement hybrid and flexible working arrangements where feasible.
4 Build trust and responsibility
Gen Zers aren’t known for respecting overly hierarchical structures. Let them manage their own time and work independently to foster trust and responsibility.
5 Provide leadership development opportunities
Gen Zers are hungry to grow, and their entrepreneurial spirit makes them keen to take on challenges and responsibility.
6 Foster creativity
This cohort tends to have a high level of creativity and the ability to teach themselves new skills; qualities that employers can harness to good effect.
Key learning
To attract Gen Z talent, large corporations should focus on improving work-life balance, providing leadership development opportunities, softening the hierarchical environment, and allowing the flexibility to think creatively and grow professionally.
Related

Management myth-busters: the innovation hero
May 30, 2025 • by Joep de Caluwé in Brain Circuits
Brain Circuits Management myth-busters: the innovation hero by Joep de Caluwé Published May 30, 2025 in Brain Circuits DownloadSave Companies often fall into the trap of equating a cool-looking innovation lab with...

How can companies tackle the crisis of well-being at work?
May 28, 2025 • by Andrew Sharman , Susan Goldsworthy in Brain Circuits
Brain Circuits How can companies tackle the crisis of well-being at work? by Andrew Sharman , Susan Goldsworthy Published May 28, 2025 in Brain Circuits • 3 min read DownloadSave Companies are...

Your AI-first leadership journey: How NOT to begin
May 27, 2025 • by Susanne May in Brain Circuits
AI-first leadership starts by unlearning old habits. Find out what holds leaders back and how to adapt for the AI age....

You are not your role: how to be yourself in a new leadership position
May 26, 2025 • by Alyson Meister in Brain Circuits
Taking up a new leadership post can mean a dramatic shift in the way others see you – and how you define yourself. It’s vital to learn how to separate your true...