A new research report from iHire examines the job search habits, career aspirations, and workplace preferences of each generation in the workforce, noting key differences and similarities. The report finds that age discrimination is most experienced by baby boomers (36.8%) and Gen Z (39.7%). Each of these generational cohorts say they have been treated differently because of their age at work or during their job search, compared to 28.1% of Gen X and 28.6% of millennials.
More than 40% of each age group (baby boomers: 46.8%, Gen X 40.6%, millennials 44.8%, and Gen Z 50.1%) believe today’s employers hold untrue perceptions about their generation.
The top two job search challenges were consistent across all four generations. Candidates from every age group struggle with finding jobs they are qualified for (baby boomers: 30.7%, Gen X: 30.3%, millennials: 32%, and Gen Z: 33.7%), and are frustrated by employers ghosting them or not responding to their applications.
Basic job search competencies, such as interviewing and resume writing, don’t get easier with age and experience. A quarter (25.7%) of millennials, 23.7% of Gen X, 20.8% of Gen Z, and 18.8% of baby boomers struggle with interviewing confidently, while approximately one in five respondents from each generation grapple with writing or updating their resume.
Stress and burnout is keeping Gen Z and millennials up at night. When asked which challenges they expect to impact their career or job search in the next year, Gen Z (46.2%) and millennials (39.7%) are most concerned with stress and burnout.
Gen Z (26.4%) and Gen X (21.5%) are more likely to be on the job hunt, while Gen Z (14.8%) and millennials (12.8%) are the most interested in entrepreneurship.
Candidates of all ages are more inclined to seek a new job elsewhere than move up in their current company. Few respondents (less than 10%) from any generation selected getting a promotion or taking on a new position at their current organization as their top career goal.
In choosing the most important employer offering besides benefits and salary, 43.1% of Gen Z and 42.9% of millennials choose work-life balance, compared to 31.8% of Gen X and 23.4% of baby boomers.
Gen X is most likely to believe they aren’t paid fairly (31.3%) compared to 26.3% of baby boomers, 26.2% of millennials, and 20.8% of Gen Z.
The largest proportions of baby boomers (43.2%), Gen X (56.2%), millennials (45.3%), and Gen Z (55.9%) want to work in person rather than in a remote or hybrid setting.
“With multiple generations coexisting in today’s workforce, employers must consider each group’s unique challenges, preferences, and goals in their recruitment and retention strategies,” says Steve Flook, president and CEO at iHire. “Our research aims to inspire organizations to nurture inclusive work environments that attract and engage employees of all ages, thereby expanding their talent pools, sparking innovation, and increasing resilience.”
