“60% of employers have admitted to firing Gen Z employees they’ve hired this year,” Says Forbes. “They [Gen Z] don’t know basic skills for social interaction with customers, clients, and co-workers, nor workplace etiquette,” Holly Schroth, senior lecturer at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley told Euronews.
Employers have observed a concerning trend in today’s competitive job market: many recent college graduates struggle with professionalism, particularly concerning communication, responding to feedback, and maintaining appropriate workplace conversations. These are just some concerns employers face regarding Gen Z workplace etiquette.
A recent survey by Intelligent.com highlights the challenges faced by this new cohort of employees.
Sonya Skipp, CEO of iFacts, suggests that innovative pre-employment screening techniques, such as personality and behavioural assessments, could help address these issues before they become ensconced in your company.
Key Findings on Professionalism
A survey involving 1,000 managers revealed several important insights:
- Workplace Etiquette Training Needed: 81% of business leaders believe recent graduates would benefit from workplace etiquette training.
- Skill Deficiencies: Managers reported that recent college graduates demonstrate significant challenges in areas such as taking constructive criticism (56%), understanding cell phone etiquette (51%), and conflict resolution (48%).
- Training Implementation: Approximately one-third of companies currently offer workplace etiquette training, and another 20% plan to implement it shortly.
All this to say, that despite their qualifications, graduates may not yet be “workplace ready” when they are ready to start working. This could offer unfortunate or unforeseen consequences for your company and older employees. It could also result in an unpleasant work environment for all due to the graduate
The Importance of Employee Screening Techniques
Pre-employment screening is a critical first step for organisations looking to cultivate professionalism among new hires.
Here’s how personality and behavioural assessments can play a vital role:
- Identifying Soft Skills: Behavioural assessments can help employers evaluate critical soft skills often lacking in recent graduates. Employers can make more informed hiring decisions by gauging traits such as emotional intelligence, conflict resolution abilities, and adaptability.
- Cultural Fit: Personality assessments can provide insights into whether candidates align with the company’s values and culture. Understanding candidates’ interpersonal styles can help them thrive in a collaborative environment.
- Predicting Future Behaviour: Assessments can be predictive tools for how candidates handle workplace challenges. This can help organisations identify individuals likely to communicate effectively, accept feedback, and contribute positively to team dynamics.
Addressing the Skills Gap
According to Huy Nguyen, Intelligent.com’s chief education and career development advisor, the pandemic significantly limited recent graduates’ exposure to real-life professional interactions. As many entered the workforce from virtual environments, they missed vital opportunities to gain soft skills typically cultivated through direct workplace experiences.
Skipp says that as the workforce evolves, focusing on pre-employment screening techniques, including personality and behavioural assessments, is crucial for enhancing professionalism among recent graduates, as well as ascertaining their level of soft skills.
By addressing potential areas of concern before hiring and providing targeted training and support, businesses can help prepare new employees for the realities of the professional world. Investing in these strategies enhances individual performance and contributes to a more cohesive, productive, and respectful workplace culture.