As with all generations before them, millennials – and now Gen Z, have faced their fair share of critiques when it comes to work ethic and general career readiness. From LinkedIn posts to CEO soundbites, younger workers are routinely dismissed as lazy and unmotivated.
But the data tells a different story: one where Gen Z is deliberate, analytical, and treats job selection as they should – a high-stakes investment. Far from being distracted or entitled, Gen Z is approaching the job search with rigor, and employers who misunderstand that are losing their next generation of talent, shooting themselves in the foot now and years down the line when a widening generational gap makes future workforce and succession planning difficult.
How Gen Z is redefining the job search
Despite being a mobile-first generation, three-quarters of Gen Z job seekers are turning to desktops over their phones to fill out job applications, according to recent HireClix data. This shift is happening more broadly across generations as well, as desktop use for job applications has grown from 54% in 2023 to 65% in 2025. Among the different generations, Gen Z is still leading the charge, predominantly using desktops for job searching. Rather than scrolling their phones and clicking “apply” on a whim, this generation is making mindful decisions and taking their time with applications.
