Amy Lindgren
For anyone just starting their working life, the immediate future is filled with firsts: The first performance review, the first promotion, and, sadly, perhaps the first layoff. Although the basics don’t differ much over the years, the context for each generation does.
Take, for example, Gen Z. That’s the cohort born between 1997 and 2012. Sometimes called Zoomers, Gen Z is the first group to join the workforce with an intimate knowledge of digital processes, including remote meetings and even artificial intelligence tools. Gen Z is also encountering one of the toughest job markets for new workers in recent memory.
Although this cohort is still young — 14 years old on the low end — enough fall into the working ages of 18-24 to merit career advice. Read on for tips on how Gen Z workers might handle a few of the more common career firsts.
• First job review. Reviews can be stressful at any time, but when the job market is tight and the worker is young, the stakes seem higher. Luckily, this “first” is predictable, making it easier to prepare for. The first step is to confirm with your boss or the human resources department when a review is likely to happen — after three months, for example, or a year?
Even if the review is months away, now is a good time to start tracking examples of things you’ve learned, things you’d like to improve and things you’re proud of achieving. Gather this information along with your goals for the position and you’ll be ready.
• First promotion to management. Management isn’t for everyone and Gen Z folks who spent the pandemic in remote learning settings may be less prepared than previous generations for this transition. Go ahead and accept the promotion and give it your best; that’s the only way you’ll find out if you’re happier as a leader or as an individual contributor.
In either case, you’ll benefit from finding a mentor, either internally or outside the company, to help you navigate the early stages of this promotion.
• First call from a recruiter. In a strong job market, leaving one position for another (higher-paying) role is almost a no-brainer. But when jobs are more scarce, it’s important to factor in the “what if” questions. What if the new job doesn’t work out, for example, or the new company makes cuts and the last ones hired (you) are the first to go?
If a recruiter tries to “head hunt” you away to another job, ask to talk or meet briefly offline. Your goal is to cement the acquaintance first, as recruiters are important people to know. As for the opportunity, only move forward if the job truly interests you; otherwise, provide the recruiter with referrals if you can and ask to be considered for other jobs if they’re a fit.
• First resignation from a job. You’re young. It’s a tight market. Are you sure you want to leave this job? Assuming you have good reasons to leave and something better lined up, here’s the process. First, write a brief note or email to your manager but don’t follow the temptation to vent or otherwise complain. In fact, even if the job has been awful, you need to thank your boss for the opportunity, because that’s the professional thing to do. Finish by stating the date when you’ll be leaving and then ask for a meeting to wrap up last details.
• First layoff from a job. If you’re laid off, you’ll want to ask questions and gather as much information as possible. Talking with someone outside the organization can give you perspective on what to ask, but the short list includes details on whether there’ll be severance, when you can have a letter of recommendation, what assistance the company provides for finding new work, etc.
It’s common to be asked to sign something, so plan on requesting a copy to review at home (and share with an adviser) before you complete this step.
• First career transition. At some point, you’ll likely question whether you’re working in the right field. Rather than pushing the issue aside, your best bet is to start a conversation with your mentor or career coach. Career transitions that happen gradually as your thoughts emerge are generally less stressful than those that erupt with the snap of the final straw in your job.
As a bonus, organizing your career change process while things are still good might transform this transition from being a desperate escape into a move from one enjoyable thing to the next. That’s a “first” that you’ll want to repeat often in your career.
• Possible first union experience. If your first career job is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, some of the above, such as performance reviews and layoffs, will be spelled out there. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with those, and also ask yourself if you’d like to get involved in union activities during your off-work hours; doing so might be rewarding or stressful and might either help or hurt your professional future, so weigh the pros and cons carefully.
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Amy Lindgren owns a career consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com.
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