What Does Gen Z Want When it Comes to Relocation?

In this post from Ryan Jenkins, “Statistics exposing what Generation Z wants from the workplace”, 75% of Gen Z said they were more worried about getting a job and starting a career than they were about finding a soulmate. So work is a high priority for Gen Z, but they want a job that provides healthcare insurance, a competitive salary, and a boss they respect. They are interested in leveraging technology and working for a company that is making an impact on society. But the one stat that stood out to me (of course it would) was that more than two-thirds (67%) of Gen Z'ers are willing to relocate for a good job!

Gen Z'ers are worried they’ll miss out on valuable mentorship and networking opportunities if they’re not on site. As Caitlin Duffy (HR Research Director at Gartner) points out, Gen Z employees show a stronger preference than other demographics to learn from others in the office. As newer professionals, they rely on the mentorship and guidance of their more experienced colleagues to position themselves for success in a company. So it's not surprising that the majority are open to relocating when presented with a good option.

But what does Gen Z want and need when it comes to the process and experience of relocating? 

Given that Gen Z is the most diverse generation in history, they are not looking for a one size fits all approach. They want support that's equitable, but not identical. That means they demand benefit options that meet their needs and wants, and they want that for everyone else too! That requires options and the ability to make choices. 

Talon.One (a marketing firm) shared that Gen Z'ers like individualized (personalized) shopping experiences that can be tailored to their own personal preferences. Having grown up with technology, they have higher expectations for service (fast, efficient, helpful, visually appealing), with a preference for self-service capabilities (FAQ pages, chatbots, virtual assistants, etc.). Gen Z wants a "blend of high-touch and high-tech." They prefer a fully self-directed and independent approach, so technologies and approaches that allow them to create their own experience will be attractive. 

Because they'll make up 30% of the workforce by 2030, have you considered whether your current talent mobility approach, policy, and technology are appealing to this generation of talent? As your mobility team creates initiatives for the future of your global mobility program, it's time to really understand what will appeal to Gen Z!  

And if you're really interested, you can find more information on relocation and Gen Z here.