Navigate the Job Market Search
As you navigate the job market as a GenZer, the access to online connection differs greatly from that of older generations when they first entered the job market. Nowadays, you can toggle through job postings online, connect with employers virtually, and cast a wider net of searches. The vastness of these postings can be both encouraging and intimidating. When sifting through the online postings, narrowed-down searches will be most beneficial. Think about your non-negotiables when it comes to a job, such as the location. Select a few types of positions that you would be interested in and qualified for to find opportunities that are best suited for you.
Build Your Network
Building a network can also be crucial in navigating the job market and connecting to opportunities. GenZers have often grown accustomed to a world encapsulated in their devices, and it can be hard to build these authentic working relationships. However, you can also use online connectedness to your advantage by building your LinkedIn network. To learn more about networking tips, check out our Networking 101 guide. Wherever you are in this process, Dress for Success Indianapolis is here to support you through our Career and Development Center.
Interviewing as a GenZer
Once you have navigated the search process and landed an interview, it is important to prepare. As with searching for a job, GenZ is in a unique position to have a lot of information at their fingertips. Use your online resources to do research in preparation for your interview. Spend time learning about the company through its website and searching for other industry information to demonstrate your knowledge of and interest in the company. This can help you prepare a few high-level questions to ask your interviewer as well. Asking questions during your interview demonstrates curiosity and helps you stand out from other applicants, but you can also create a list of general questions to use in any interview. If you are given the names of your interviewers ahead of time, it can be helpful to look into their LinkedIn profiles briefly. This allows you to find common ground such as interests or experiences that can assist in building an authentic relationship and tailoring your questions to their experience. Our Interview Tips article can offer more insight into how to answer interview questions, and Dress for Success Indianapolis will help you confidently navigate the job market as a GenZer.
Balancing Authenticity and Professionalism
GenZ is unique and proud to stand out. Being authentic will not only help you land the job but will also ensure your comfort in being yourself at work. Throughout the hiring process, employers want to get a sense of who you are, and they connect the most with people who they find to be authentic. Being your true self also tends to foster greater results in work as you can focus your full effort on the tasks at hand.
Ultimately, it is crucial to balance this unique truth with an understanding of professional norms to demonstrate your ability to adapt to workplace standards and follow protocols appropriately. Depending on the company’s policies you may find ways to express your unique style while adhering to the dress code or uniform. For instance, you may be required to wear a company shirt but can still express yourself through pins, jewelry, or hair color and style. Similarly, you may be able to engage in small talk and banter with your co-workers while still ensuring that the language and topics are appropriate for the workplace, and you can switch to professional language and tone when more serious conversations need to happen. It is important to be aware of the balance between authenticity and professionalism, the role this may play in generational and cultural differences, and when it is the appropriate time for each. Hailey Mensik’s WorkLife article further outlines how to navigate this as a GenZer or employer of GenZers. Dress for Success Indianapolis’ coaches can help you strike the right balance to feel confident and be perceived as professional. Check out our Services page to learn more.
