In recent years, we’ve seen major shifts in where and how we work. And with more people reaching retirement age and Gen Z expected to make up 30 percent of the global workforce by 2030, we’re also seeing shifts in who is performing the jobs and what they desire in the workplace. 

Who is Gen Z? 

Gen Z is made up of people born between 1996 and 2012. The oldest Gen Zs will soon be reaching their 30s, while the youngest have yet to reach the secondary stage of their education. 

Like their global counterparts, Gen Z individuals in India are digital natives, having grown up with smartphones and social media. This era of connectivity has led many Gen Zs to cultivate a greater awareness and appreciation of people with different perspectives, backgrounds, and identities. 

Related: 5 Strategies for Gender Inclusion and Diversity Hiring in India 

In India, this generation is also very socially conscious, showing higher levels of concern around topics like climate change and a greater willingness to pay higher prices for sustainable products or services. 

Topping the list of Indian Gen Zs’ concerns are education, skills, and training; unemployment; and mental health, according to data from Deloitte. 

Gen Z’s Work Mindset 

Despite some of the preconceived notions people may have around Gen Z, this generation is proving to be very work minded. In a 2023 Deloitte survey, 65 percent of Indian Gen Zs reported that work is the most important driver of self-identity (compared to 68 percent of millennials), followed by friends and family and volunteering/making a positive impact on their society or community. 

An Instagram survey also found Gen Z in India to be more career-oriented than those in other countries, with many respondents expressing interest in finding good jobs and a belief that entrepreneurship is a good way to make money. 

Along the same lines, another survey of workers in 14 countries, including India, revealed the following information about Gen Z and their attitudes toward work: 

• 48 percent of Gen Z expects to change jobs within the next year. 
• 74 percent of Gen Z believes in changing jobs as a career development driver. 
• 42 percent of Gen Z say that having their own business is the most desirable career path. 

What Gen Z Wants from Their Employers 

Not surprisingly, a majority of Indian Gen Zs (64 percent) want to work for employers that provide flexible work arrangements—a sentiment we’ve seen globally in the years since the pandemic. In the same study, 61 percent of Gen Z respondents said they’d accept less money to work for a company that values mental health and inclusivity. 

42 percent of India’s Gen Zs are very satisfied with their current work/life balance—higher than the global average of 34 percent. That number is up significantly from 2019, when just 27 percent of respondents in the same age said they were very satisfied.  

Careers in Tech 

A growing body of research indicates what Gen Z wants in a workplace—but which types of jobs are most appealing? According to a 2024 report by Nasscom and Indeed, a whopping 77 percent of Gen Z students have shown interest in working in India’s technology sector. 

Indian Gen Zs are also taking it upon themselves to learn the technical skills needed to excel in tech, such as programming languages, cloud computing, and data analysis, while millennials and Gen X are investing more in soft skills like leadership and management, personal effectiveness, and personal development. 

Related: The How and Why of Cultivating a Diverse IT Workforce in India 

Summary 

With Gen Z making up more of the workforce in India and around the globe, tailoring employee recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies to their preferences is no longer an option for employers—it’s an imperative. 

Related: Job Posting Guide: How to Attract the Attention of Qualified Candidates 

To learn more about how Acara’s team of recruitment experts can help you continue to land top talent as the employment landscape evolves, contact us today. 

This blog was authored by Acara’s Sashikala Skylab.