Gen Z and Job Interviews

Ceallaigh said:

They need constructive criticism as well.

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In all fairness, older generations have foresaken that prerogative when they decided to spend their children's inheritance and leave them with a world that is falling apart.

FireDragon76 said:

In all fairness, older generations have foresaken that prerogative when they decided to spend their children's inheritance and leave them with a world that is falling apart.

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That's a mighty broad brush to paint everyone with. So what's the alternative? Should they be left alone, except for when they go to apply for a job?

FireDragon76 said:

Today's jobs, on the other hand, are much more likely to require completely different skillsets and there is going to be a corresponding difference in virtues emphasized.

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I told one young cart-wrangler that his job didn’t “exist” 25 years ago. He backed away slowly as if my hair were on fire.

Ceallaigh said:

If they can't get a job on their own and dive a car by the time they're 17, they're not being raised correctly.

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Why is driving such an essential skill? Plenty of cities have public transport that negates the need to drive. I would consider cooking, cleaning and maintaining a household with basic maintenance skills more important.

ThatRobGuy said:

Stats like 46% spending more on fashion than other category, 30% spending more on beauty care products than any other category - more than any other generation, and being 2-3x more likely to buy clothing every week than any other generation, spending $2,000 a year on products for their pets, etc... aren't exactly the hallmarks of "budget savvy"

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But those stats are hardly surprising for a demographic in their teens/early 20s. It's like going back to 1986 and asking why Gen-X are spending so much on acid wash jeans, arcade games and New Order albums.

Plus from one of the links you shared...

Gen Z is the thriftiest generation​

While Millennials were born in an economic boom, Gen Z entered the world in a recession and have seen their parents and older siblings struggle financially. Experts believe this is why Gen Z tends to be thriftier than older generations. Like those who were raised during the Depression, they are more likely to look for a bargain or shop secondhand.

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Sounds pretty sensible.

Trogdor the Burninator said:

But those stats are hardly surprising for a demographic in their teens/early 20s. It's like going back to 1986 and asking why Gen-X are spending so much on acid wash jeans, arcade games and New Order albums.

Plus from one of the links you shared...


Sounds pretty sensible.

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Actually, the first link I provided mentioned they were mostly referring to the portion of Gen Z that's old enough to enter the workforce in a full-time capacity

And as far as what what's outlined in the other, I think it's safe to assume that's the portion they were referring to as well. (as they specifically mention "Gen Z Adults" in that article, which I presume means 18+)
(as I don't imagine a 15-16 year old is spending $2000/year on a pet)


And while it mentions that they'll buy some things second hand and are less likely to shop at "luxury stores", it also mentions that they're likely in some instances to pay 50%-100% more for certain goods if the brand takes a "social justice stance" they're partial towards in other instances.
(and they also self-admitted to making impulse purchases at a rate that's nearly twice what it is for older generations)

So one needs to counterbalance the two aspects at once: "I'll buy this shirt I liked from a second hand store for $15" balanced against "I'll pay $55 for this $20 hat because I saw on Instagram that the brand is pro-<insert topical cause here>"

ThatRobGuy said:

(as I don't imagine a 15-16 year old is spending $2000/year on a pet)

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Not sure why you called that stat out as unusual - that works out to less than $200/month to support a pet. Doesn't sound excessive to me, and I don't even own any pets. Pet food isn't exactly cheap, and most rentals require an extra fee for pets. Certainly less expensive than a child, which pets have replaced for many Gen Z/millennials (which is part of why they're willing to spend money on them).

RocksInMyHead said:

Not sure why you called that stat out as unusual - that works out to less than $200/month to support a pet. Doesn't sound excessive to me, and I don't even own any pets. Pet food isn't exactly cheap, and most rentals require an extra fee for pets. Certainly less expensive than a child, which pets have replaced for many Gen Z/millennials (which is part of why they're willing to spend money on them).

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But if you were in the generation that's complaining that having your own place is unaffordable, would you be taking on a $200/month expense that's a luxury?

Having a dog or cat certainly isn't a necessity by any means. In fact, if one is strapped for cash in a time period with a tough housing market, deciding to get a pet is probably the 2nd dumbest thing a person can do (right behind buying a boat, which is rightfully described as "a hole in the water that you throw money into")

And that's not even delving into the topic of what the Gen Z folks are signing up for in terms of the student loan debt they're taking on especially in the US. We have a disproportionate number of young people signing onto to some hefty loans for majors that are unlikely to produce any meaningful job prospects.

Trogdor the Burninator said:

Why is driving such an essential skill? Plenty of cities have public transport that negates the need to drive. I would consider cooking, cleaning and maintaining a household with basic maintenance skills more important.

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Adults who don't know how to drive tend have to be driven places by others as if they were still a child.
I completely agree they should also know all the things you mentioned as well. They should have been taught how to look after themselves. By 18 if their parents died they should be able to get though life without them.

Ceallaigh said:

Adults who don't know how to drive tend have to be driven places by others as if they were still a child.

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If you live in a city and have access to frequent and cheap public transport, and can summon a rideshare or a takeaway meal in a few minutes via your phone, I don't have trouble understanding why young people don't bother learning how to drive. Plus cars are more expensive to maintain and insure now than they were when I first got my licence. The world has changed.

For country kids - sure, I completely get the need to drive. From my observations of a few friends kids who took rural jobs, they all have their driver's licence.

Trogdor the Burninator said:

If you live in a city and have access to frequent and cheap public transport, and can summon a rideshare or a takeaway meal in a few minutes via your phone, I don't have trouble understanding why young people don't bother learning how to drive. Plus cars are more expensive to maintain and insure now than they were when I first got my licence. The world has changed.

For country kids - sure, I completely get the need to drive. From my observations of a few friends kids who took rural jobs, they all have their driver's licence.

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Knowing how to drive will be a necessity in the future. Haven't you ever seen a Mad Max movie?