Gen Z is short for Generation Z, which is used to describe the generation of people born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. Growing up in the digital age, Gen Z is street smart, insanely tech-savvy, open-minded, and fast to adapt to global trends.
Vietnam’s workforce is embracing Gen Z, a digitally influenced generation with unique qualities and expectations. This shift requires businesses to adapt and effectively manage this young workforce to attract and develop them effectively.
Important features of gen Z in the framework of the Vietnamese workplace
In today’s fast-paced world, Gen Z is making its mark in the Vietnamese workplace, bringing new perspectives and innovative ideas. Being the first digital generation, they are familiar with using technology and expect to work in a team-based environment. This article will help you better understand some characteristics of Gen Z in the context of the current Vietnamese labor market.
- Tech savvy and digital minded: Growing up with the internet and mobile devices, Vietnamese Gen Z has the ability to access and use technology proficiently. They quickly adopt digital trends and adapt to online tools, thereby accelerating Vietnam’s digital transformation process.
- Independence and creativity: The Gen Z in Vietnam tends to think independently, is not afraid to express their individuality, and come up with new ideas. They look for jobs that allow them to be creative and give their ideas, and dislike restrictive and structured work environments.
- Prioritize flexibility and work-life balance: This generation values the balance between work and personal life. They hope to work flexibly, with the ability to work remotely, or less rigid hours, so they can pursue personal interests and spend time with family and friends.
- Expectations of growth and advancement: Gen Z has a clear desire to develop their professional growth. They love to work in an environment with a transparent career path, receive training, and can improve their skills regularly.
The challenge for the Vietnamese labor market when gen Z joins
Vietnam’s Generation Z brings new expectations to the workforce, significantly different from previous generations. Addressing these differences is essential for Vietnamese businesses that want to effectively manage and retain young talent. When Generation Z enters the job market, the Vietnamese labor market faces the following challenges:
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- Differences in expectations: The difference between Gen Z and previous generations’ expectations of work environments, growth opportunities, and work-life balance can create challenges in managing and retaining the workforce.
- Engagement and loyalty issues: With an independent mindset and a focus on flexibility, Gen Z may not stay in a job for long if it doesn’t feel right or doesn’t have the opportunity to grow. This raises the issue of building an effective corporate culture and talent retention policy.
- Demand for modern work environments and technology integration: To attract and work effectively with Gen Z, Vietnamese businesses need to invest in technological infrastructure, creating dynamic, creative, and flexible work environments.
- Competition in attracting talent: Companies have to face fierce competition in attracting Gen Z talent, not only from domestic firms but also from multinational corporations offering attractive benefits.
- Soft skills shortage: While proficient in technology, some Gen Z individuals may lack soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, necessitating appropriate training programs from businesses.
Opportunities for Vietnam’s labor market
With an innovative mindset and the ability to adapt to market changes, Generation Z values diversity and inclusion, contributing to an open working environment. Generation Z’s innovative working processes and solutions are poised to revolutionize the industry. To optimize Generation Z’s potential, Vietnamese businesses should:
- Create an open, flexible working environment that respects differences and encourages creativity.
- Provide competitive salaries, attractive benefits, and clear development opportunities.
- Provide soft skills and professional skills training programs that suit the needs of Generation Z.
- Develop modern tools and platforms to support effective work.
- Build an attractive corporate image, conveying clear values and development opportunities to Generation Z.
Generation Z is currently and will continue to shape the labor market in Vietnam. Understanding the characteristics, expectations, and challenges of working with this generation is crucial for businesses to build a strong workforce that meets the needs of a growing and increasingly international economy. Adapting and innovating in managing and attracting Gen Z talent will be the key to the success of Vietnamese businesses in the future.
In short, with an increasing number of jobs and a significant influence on social media, Gen Z is becoming a crucial force in shaping cultural, economic, and social trends. Businesses and policymakers are now focusing on understanding their characteristics and desires to interact more effectively.