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How to harness the power of Gen Z in your workplace

Unlock the potential of this generation by finding out what motivates them at work. 

You’ve probably already seen it – Generation Z has arrived in the workforce. In just one year, more than a quarter of the workforce will be from Gen Z.

Are you ready to harness the power of this dynamic generation?

Gen Z was born between 1997 – 2012 and have been shaped by technology, global events and a rapidly changing world. They possess unique characteristics that make them invaluable assets to any organization.

We can help you understand Gen Z better for your talent strategy! The University of Waterloo’s Work-Learn Institute (WxL) surveyed more than 2,000 co-op students to gain deep insights into this intriguing and fearless generation of talent.

Understanding Gen Z

If you understand them, they will come. As leaders, recognizing Gen Z's preferences, values and work habits is important. They are shaped by their upbringing and societal influences. Working with Gen Z can reap many benefits for your organization. Here's why you should be excited about recruiting, hiring and retaining employees from this generation of talent:

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Digital natives

Gen Z has grown up in a digital age, making them tech-savvy and adaptable to new technologies.

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Innovative thinkers

Raised in an era of rapid change, Gen Z brings fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table.

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Socially conscious

Gen Z is passionate about making a difference in the world and seeks employers with strong social responsibility.

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Entrepreneurial spirit

With a desire to carve their own paths, Gen Z is entrepreneurial and eager to take on challenges.

Do you know what Gen Z is looking for in an employer? Take our quiz!


This short quiz will test your knowledge of preferred working arrangements, values, priorities and more.
We'll share your results at the end of the quiz to see how you did.

Are you ready to take your organization to the next level with Gen Z talent?

Join us in unlocking the potential of this generation's workforce. Learn more about attracting, recruiting and retaining Gen Z talent and building a future-ready workforce.

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Hear directly from Gen Z

We dedicate 40-plus hours a week to the companies that we work for. We want to know…we’ll receive equal amounts of dedication and care. Thinking of the values, self-direction is a lot like training and development and less important things like power are still about growth and opportunities.

Ingrid Kaffka (MA ’23), 2021 Arts Co-op student of the Year, co-op student at Red Canari

Ingrid Kaffka

How employers are engaging with Gen Z

Manjot Sidhu

A lot of employers focus on getting people through the door but may struggle to support them once they get into the organization. It’s important that employers continue to show a genuine interest in their employee’s success, providing them with resources, opportunities for growth and mentorship and consistent support throughout their journey.

Manjot Sidhu, talent acquisition co-ordinator, OpenText