Generation Z candidates are the savviest online, survey reveals

Generation Z are the savviest when it comes to building a personal identity online, research by CV-Library has revealed.

This generation, classified as between the ages of 16 and 24, are set to “change the future face of recruitment” by using pictures, expecting to be Googled, and being more cautious about what they post online compared to their older counterparts. 

CV-Library found that 82.8% of Gen-Z workers were more careful about posting pictures online in case they were found by an employer, compared to a national average of 70.9%. Around a fifth were happy to post pictures, however, stating that potential discrimination was not a concern.

The survey also found that almost three quarters (74.6%) of Generation Z expect to be Googled by a potential employer, compared with a national average of just 62.5%

Highlighting a clear divide between older and younger generations, the research shows that older workers are less aware of the impact that an online persona can have in the business world: Only 41.8% of workers over 55 expect to be Googled by a prospective employer (vs. 74.6% of 16-24 year olds), and 63% of older workers are cautious about what they post online, compared with 82.8% of younger workers.

Commenting on the findings, Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library said: ”As workers spend increasing amounts of time online both professionally and socially, it’s essential to recognise the importance of an online persona, and the influence it can hold. Workers from Generation Z have been born and bred into a culture of social media, so it’s unsurprising that they expect this to trickle through into every aspect of their lives, including the recruitment process.

“While older generations may have more difficulty embracing this trend, the working world is changing and we can already see how many industries require new recruits to have a strong online presence; for example copywriters with their own blog or designers with their own websites stand themselves in good stead, and simply reinforce the importance of an online identity.”