Gen Z and Job Offers: Know When to Accept/Refuse Them

You might be just a beginner, or maybe in a career exploration period but the same question probably lurks in the back of your mind:

When is the right time to accept a job offer, and when can I “allow” myself to refuse it?

Here is some great input we’ll provide you with so you can make the right decision for your career.

Remote Friendly

“Our generation is defined by our resilience and ability to adapt to change.”

Say yes

Since remote work became rather popular since the “Covid era” and is a flexible option that intrigues Zoomers and piques their interest, any job offer that provides remote work as a flexible work arrangement will likely suit your needs the most. You can take the time off whenever you need it and organize your time the way you want - transforming your home into the most flexible office for your needs. Also, it greatly benefits your work-life balance - but you already know that.

Say no

Definite red flags are the companies that aren’t very happy if you tell them that working from home isn’t just an option for you, but a must. If they start to “fidget” during interviews or attempt to manipulate negotiations in their favor, such actions will probably only wear you out and you will quit your job in a very short period. That means you will probably get tired of the company’s constant resistance to your “it goes without saying” demands.

Variety of Benefits

Pay attention to the key advantages in future job offers - although this depends on your needs, naturally. Here are a few we consider most crucial and popular, according to prevailing online sentiment:

• Healthcare
• Dental coverage
• Life insurance
• Covered commuting expenses
• Compensated time off, including paid sick leave
• Disability benefits package
• Remote work flexibility
• Compensated training and professional growth opportunities
• Flexible hours
  

Now, let’s move on to the fun part.

We interviewed a couple of our own Zoomer employees to see what they think about the topic of when to say yes or no to a job offer. By asking them about employee benefits they find desirable, we came across some interesting ideas. The following might even inspire you to negotiate the same with your future employer:

• Fitness programs or gym cards
• Top-notch working equipment
• Subsidized meals
• Inter-continental team building activities
• More vacation days
• Mental health support
• Telemedicine (medical care from a distance)
• Pet-friendly policies
• Student loan assistance
• Travel vouchers or company-paid vacations
  

Keep in mind that some of these are offered by many companies, and you won’t even have to negotiate with them to get those perks.

Say yes:

The more benefits the company offers and is more flexible to “create” for you, the more you should say yes. In addition to the first set of must-have benefits, take a look at the sea of other creatively concocted ones, and make your own list.

Say no:

The company lacking the most from the list above is probably not the company for you. For example, if healthcare and dental benefits have to be negotiated, the company probably isn’t flexible enough for your needs. If you can’t get a decent dental, you probably can’t even dream about a “Bring your pet” day.

Workshops and Educations

“Stay curious, stay humble; knowledge knows no bounds.”

The Gen Z employees we interviewed confirmed some general conclusions regarding their career development:

The constant development of Gen Z skills, seminars, workshops that upgrade their talents, and other educational courses are a must when looking for a job.

Say yes:

Companies that provide workshops, training, or courses are a definite yes if such opportunities are available.

Say no:
There are companies that won’t compensate for the course you are taking or don’t really care about the opportunities for such growth. They might have some other priorities, or their budget is tight. No matter the reason, if you don’t have the opportunity to develop your skills, or really have to negotiate a lot for minimal gains, you should refuse them.

The Pay

This is probably the first thing you will want to hear about when looking for a job. Discussing pay can be delicate, yet Zoomers are known for not settling for lower wages and value recognition for their hard work.

Here’s a tip: Before you start negotiating your pay, always research the minimum wage for the job position you are being offered. Even though it’s fair for you to be compensated for your good work, one must know when to hit the breaks.

Say yes:

There are companies that might not offer you the amount you demanded but agree to pay you “nicely” for a certain period of time until you prove yourself after which they’ll compensate you higher. It’s not settling for less, it’s just a process of simple compromise that gives both you and the employer time to establish a relationship of trust.

Say no:

To the companies that offer far less than the minimum, and aren’t flexible for negotiations - say no without thinking. In the future, obtaining a salary increase, let alone a promotion is likely to be exceptionally challenging.

Performance Reviews and Consistent Feedback

This is probably the most important part of Zoomers’ career experience. You consider feedback to be crucial and expect to be recognized for your skills and given the opportunity to enhance them.

Some of our interviewees mentioned they expect to receive feedback on various aspects like compensation, and career development, while others expressed a desire to provide feedback regarding their overall satisfaction with the company to the HR department on a quarterly basis.

Say yes:

When you receive clear information during the initial interview about what is expected for continuous improvement, especially when you have emphasized the importance of performance reviews. If they welcome your eagerness to learn and constantly improve, and even suggest and offer constructive solutions on the first meeting, this is definitely a company worth a shot.

Say no:

The company that is hard to bargain with when it comes to personal development or simply doesn’t pay attention to anybody’s advancement needs and obviously is trying to avoid the topic during the interview - you can say thank you and walk away. When you get general answers in a deflective tone of voice, you can take it as the first noticeable red flag.

Communication, Equity, and Diversity

Millennials are the generation born in the dawn of the digital era, but Gen Z is famous for being completely “computerized”. That means that you probably expect your job environment and tasks to be technologized too.

Let’s describe how the Internet had fingers in shaping your generation regarding communication and self-worth in the workplace.

Zoomers are pretty native to mobile phones, tablets, laptops and etc., which are devices for communication. Texting, video calls, etc., is something they are adept at - but still, face-to-face communication is preferred.

The second thing the Internet brought to your generation is more information, which in this case, equals more recognition, self-respect, and self-confidence.

That brings us to the company culture of the employer that offers the job. Since Gen Z is very diverse, open-minded, inclusive, and liberal, and demands to be treated with respect and equity, the company must have the same traits.

Say yes:

Gen Z interviewees from our interview demand the working environment to be relaxed and open to solving problems rather than avoiding them. Other interesting facts shared by them are that they are focused more on the team dynamics than the project itself, like when they work with people who actually do the job well instead of just talking about it.

Say no:
Our interviewed Zoomers claim they strongly judge double standards when it comes to treating all of the employees and don’t like lazy workers. Other things they can’t stand are egoism and arrogance, no matter the hierarchy.

Let’s Zoom Out

“Dance to your own rhythm; the world will follow.”

The fact is, you decide when to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the job offer. It all depends on your preferences and career goals you’ve chosen. But if you would like to stay in one job position for a longer time and be satisfied, we recommend you apply some of the advice we’ve given you here - who knows, maybe the perfect job is just around the corner, driven by the same values and standards you live by.