Oct 18, 2024
As new graduates flood the job market, many face an uphill battle with skeptical employers. New data shows 1 in 6 U.S. companies are hesitant to hire workers in their 20s, citing concerns like laziness, unprofessionalism and poor communication skills.
A survey by Intelligent, a career-focused website for young people, found that 17% of companies were reluctant to hire those in their 20s, and three-quarters were dissatisfied with recent college. This year, 60% of companies even terminated young hires for being unprepared or unprofessional, and 1 in 7 companies may stop hiring new grads by 2025.
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The problem, according to the survey, is that many employers are quickly firing young workers after onboarding, blaming their lack of professionalism and poor adherence to workplace standards.
“Many recent college graduates … are often unprepared for a less structured environment, workplace cultural dynamics and the expectation of autonomous work,” said Intelligent Chief Education and Career Development Advisory Huy Nguyen.
He added that while new grads may have theoretical knowledge from college, they often lack real-world experience and soft skills. This mismatch can create friction between young hires and seasoned workers.
The survey highlights vexing questions about generational dynamics, workplace expectations and the flexibility of hiring managers to meet Gen Z in the middle.
Why are young professionals struggling?
One explanation is that Gen Z workers often reject corporate life, especially when it comes to tasks they see as unimportant. Tech entrepreneur Joe Procopio noted in a recent Inc. editorial that many young workers are frustrated with being assigned mundane tasks instead of meaningful work.
“It’s not that they don’t want to come back to the office. They don’t want any part of what they do when they get there,” Procopio wrote. “The reason there isn’t any work-life balance isn’t because life has gone away, it’s because work has gone away. It all just blends now.”
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Additionally, younger workers may lack an understanding of professional norms like communication, dress codes, punctuality and teamwork. Growing up with a focus on work-life balance, many Gen Z workers view work as a part of life, not its center, which challenges traditional expectations of long hours and constant availability.
The pandemic further amplified these challenges, as many graduates missed key early work experiences like internships, which limited their exposure to workplace dynamics and professional etiquette.
However, the survey didn’t let older managers off the hook. Rather than dismissing Gen Z workers based on stereotypes, the report said companies have a responsibility to help young professionals succeed by providing structured support.
“It can be easy for managers to buy into typical stereotypes of Gen Z and dismiss them entirely; however, companies have an equal responsibility to prepare recent graduates for their particular workplace and give them the best chance to succeed,” Nguyen said.
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How young Americans can improve their career prospects
To counter these perceptions, young job seekers should focus on building soft skills like communication, teamwork and time management. Internships and part-time roles are invaluable for gaining real-world experience and learning workplace expectations. Even minor roles can provide essential insights into professional environments.
Intelligent’s survey also stressed the importance of work ethic. Fifty-four percent of employers said they’re more likely to hire candidates who demonstrate a strong work ethic, with adaptability and punctuality close behind.
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Chris Clark is a Kansas City–based freelance contributor for Moneywise, where he writes about the real financial choices facing everyday Americans—from saving for retirement to navigating housing and debt.
