Gen Z is sometimes called \u201ciGen\u201d for the devices they carry. In the restaurant business, this group of 16- to 24-year-olds is called the future\u2014the first fully global generation.<\/p>\n
Wait a minute \u2026 how can Gen Z be so worldly at such a tender age? Don\u2019t be fooled, they\u2019re connected in a big way. They\u2019re constantly in sync with the outside world thanks to the devices they carry in the palm of their hands. They\u2019re connected on road trips, at social gatherings, and at work.<\/p>\n
They ignore barriers that once separated people\u2014gender, race, national borders, economic well-being, and more. They\u2019re also used to having things their way. They consume media when and where they want, and online stores are open even if it\u2019s the middle of the night or a statutory holiday.<\/p>\n
Some might say they\u2019re spoiled. The iPod, iPad, iPhone, iEverything world they know so well clearly signals a selfish, me-at-the-centre-of-the-universe lifestyle. That puts extra pressure on employers seeking to hire, train, retain, and motivate this youngest generation as it enters the labour pool.<\/p>\n
Hiring these workers starts online. Careerbuilding.com<\/em> says these people may consult up to 15 sources to research opportunities and employers. They don\u2019t consult printed classified ads, and they may never notice the \u201cHelp Wanted\u201d sign in your window. To reach these screen addicts, post at every online site you think is relevant, from Workopolis, Monster and Indeed to eluta.ca<\/em>, kijiji.ca<\/em> and craigslist.ca<\/em>. Social sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn also are essential, both as a place to advertise job openings and as a place to link to your restaurant\u2019s website.<\/p>\n Because they consult so many sources, know that they\u2019re just skimming the surface. Brief job descriptions are a must. A 2015 ultimatesoftware.com<\/em> study showed 40% of Gen Z job seekers are unwilling to spend a full minute reviewing online job descriptions. As for the application process, simple is better. A 2015 snagajob.com<\/em> report showed that 97% of Gen Z online applicants don\u2019t complete the entire application. One way to improve your appeal is to engage this screen-focused generation. Quintcareers.com<\/em> suggests offering videos of what life is like at your business. This could set you apart from other employers by allowing Gen Z a virtual visit before they ever walk in the door.<\/p>\n Many in Gen Z have a sense of entitlement. They come by it naturally, according to Dan Longton, President of workforce training company TraitSet. Parents of Gen Z children told them they were special and could do anything. Gen Z was praised often and criticized rarely.<\/p>\n Your job is to show them you\u2019re the boss, not the parent, says Ken Wasco, Gordon Food Service Customer Effectiveness Manager. This means your training must include constructive criticism\u2014correcting their mistakes, shaping their skills, and building confidence. And that plays right into their sense of entitlement. Because Gen Z is often educated, confident, and connected, they\u2019re eager to prove themselves. It\u2019s up to you to show them how their work has meaning and fits into the bigger picture.<\/p>\n Because Gen Z is so young, Longton says, it\u2019s best to focus on the basics: skills and house rules. Well-established rules\u2014the method for greeting customers, proper storage for glasses, food-safety measures, etc.\u2014make training easier for you and for them. Once they recognize how basic rules apply to overall efficiency and customer satisfaction, it promotes personal and operational growth. Communicating with Gen Z is always right at your fingertips. They\u2019re very comfortable with informal feedback. A text or a brief email can be just as effective as a conversation.<\/p>\n Members of Gen Z are full-time brand managers. They have an entrepreneurial, be-my-own-boss mindset, according to the Fast Company<\/em> article What is Generation Z, and What Does it Want?<\/em> They seek immediate validation on social media, because that\u2019s where their friends hang out and where many important connections and conversations happen.<\/p>\n Retaining and motivating Gen Z workers comes down to empowering them as they gain more experience. This prevents job burnout. A 2015 Washington State University study encourages \u201cdeep acting\u201d exercises, putting workers in the shoes of the customer. This helps them better understand the problem-resolution process.<\/p>\n Quintcareers.com<\/em> suggests workplace issues that are most important to the youngest members of the workforce, including such things as bonds between co-workers and friendships with bosses. Flexible hours and schedules also are important when it comes to work-life balance.<\/p>\n Perhaps most important is providing challenging work with advancement opportunities or some other type of recognition. Even when the job is as basic as taking customer orders or clearing tables, establishing advancement opportunities will keep the job fresh. Longton suggests the carrot-and-stick approach of an afternoon off if a certain goal is achieved, or a small pay increase when an anniversary date is reached. All of this advice fits well with the findings of The 2016 Deloitte Millennial Survey, which shows the youngest workers are much more loyal to organizations and mentors when they sense someone is interested in their professional development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" They can work for you if you correct their mistakes and build their confidence the right way Gen Z is sometimes called \u201ciGen\u201d for the devices they carry. In the restaurant business, this group of 16- to 24-year-olds is called the future\u2014the first fully global generation. Wait a minute \u2026 how can Gen Z be so […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":4264,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[122,123,112,69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-catering-small-business","category-hotels-hospitality","category-restaurant-bars","category-running-your-business"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLearn to train Gen Z for their success\u2014and yours<\/h3>\n
Gain Gen Z\u2019s loyalty by nurturing them<\/h3>\n