Founder Insights: #6 Why Gen Z Prefers Direct Sourcing

Another week, another deep dive into the dynamic world of talent acquisition.

Today, I’m not just sharing statistics and industry trends; I’m letting you in on a personal revelation. 

As someone who belongs to the very generation of workers we're discussing today - the Millennials and Gen Z - I understand the weight of wanting to belong and make an impact, not just from research but from lived experience. 

At my company, Bubty, we've adopted a fully flexible culture with no set hours, empowering individuals to work at times that best suit their life balance. 

We trust our team to perform at their peak, recognizing that they're part of a collective mission. 

The success of this culture has been pivotal for us. It's more than just a strategy; it's our way of leading by example in the world of work.

Now, let’s explore the modern candidates' DNA – the very essence of our endeavors.
The Rise of the Digital Native

Born into an era of rapid technological advancement, Millennials and Gen Z are not only shaping the digital landscape but redefining the world of work. 

Their influence on the labor market is profound. 

According to a recent Forbes article, they prioritize flexibility, work-life balance, and meaningful work over traditional job perks. 

Remote work, previously considered a luxury, is now a staple for 68% of Gen Z and Millennials when selecting jobs, as highlighted by Business Insider.

Their connection with technology isn’t about using technology; it's about immersion. 

They crave experiences that are seamless, transparent, and engaging.

And here's the crux: Traditional pipeline-centric approaches are outmoded in their eyes. 

Why?

1. Flexibility: Not Just a Benefit, But a Necessity

Gen Z workers value autonomy. Freelancing and contingent roles offer them the liberty to dictate their schedules, work environment, and even job selection. Their desire for work-life harmony is deeply rooted in the freedom that contingent work provides.

2. Diverse Experiences Over Linear Careers

With freelancing, they can tap into various roles, industries, and projects. This not only diversifies their portfolio but also caters to their innate curiosity and desire for multifaceted growth.

3. Autonomy & Entrepreneurial Spirit

This generation longs for a pronounced entrepreneurial streak. Allowing themselves to be their own bosses, make executive decisions, and foster a sense of ownership over their work.

4. Technology-Driven Workspaces

Born digital, Gen Z finds it second nature to navigate online freelancing platforms, remote collaboration tools, and digital payment gateways, which are the backbone of contingent work. This fluency amplifies their efficiency and reach.

“In short: They don’t want to go through your 7 Salesforce, windows XP built crap. They want to grab their iPhones and quickly ai generate their invoice based on the work they have completed.”

5. Purpose Over Paycheck

While freelancing offers competitive remuneration, Gen Z is more enticed by projects that align with their values and passions. They're not just looking to earn; they're looking to make an impact.

The world of work is undeniably shifting, and with Gen Z at the forefront, the rise of freelancing and contingent roles is just the tip of the iceberg.

Understanding their core desires and values is just the start. Now, let's explore how our traditional recruiting systems might be falling short in addressing these needs.

Going Beyond the traditional recruiting: The Power of Direct Sourcing

Today's workforce, especially the likes of Gen Z and Millennials, craves more than just a job – they seek connection, a sense of purpose, and engagement at every stage of their professional journey. 

And herein lies the fundamental flaw of traditional Systems: 

Their linear, one-way nature. 

They function as mere systems of record, documenting candidates' progression through the hiring funnel, without fostering any real connection or engagement.

The Limitations of Traditional Systems

• Unidirectional Approach: Existing technologies often operate in a unilateral manner. A candidate applies, gets processed, and eventually lands a job or doesn’t. There's little to no engagement before the job opening or after the hiring process concludes.

• Missed Opportunities: Companies miss out on nurturing relationships with potential future talent. Just because there isn’t a role for a candidate now doesn't mean there won’t be one in the future. Traditional systems don’t capitalize on this potential.

• Impersonal Experience: Modern talents aren’t just numbers to be processed in a pipeline. They're individuals seeking meaningful interaction. Systems that don’t cater to this end up alienating potential top talent.

Redefining Talent Acquisition with Direct Sourcing

As we step into an age where talent's aspirations are evolving rapidly, it becomes imperative for businesses to pivot from the transactional methodologies of the past and embrace approaches that foster long-term engagement. 

This is where Direct Sourcing and Talent Pool Technology come to the fore, offering a fresh perspective on talent acquisition and engagement.

• Fostering Relationships: It's not just about recruitment. It's about engagement. Direct sourcing using talent pool technology establishes and nurtures a relationship even before a job vacancy exists. It continues to keep the connection alive post-recruitment, ensuring talents remain engaged and in-the-loop.

• Circular Engagement, Not Linear: Unlike the linear trajectory of ATS, talent pool technology operates like a flywheel. Candidates are constantly engaged, informed, and connected, ensuring a continuous relationship rather than a start-stop interaction.

• Tailored Interactions: Talent pool platforms can customize interactions, aligning them with individual aspirations, skills, and values. This deepens the relationship, making candidates feel genuinely valued and understood.

• The Future is Engagement: With a significant shift towards freelance and contingent roles, especially among Gen Z, continuous engagement becomes even more crucial. These platforms allow companies to constantly tap into a rich pool of on-demand talent, ready to jump into roles as they become available.

Wrapping up: Redefining Talent Engagement Strategy

As I pen down these insights, I'm reminded of my own journey, both as a Millennial and a professional, in the evolving landscape of talent acquisition.

In trying to be a forward-looking company, integrating internal talent pool technology and direct sourcing has never been just a tactic; it's always been a strategic imperative led by my own desire.

As we transition to an era where the workforce prioritizes engagement and belonging, companies need to move beyond mere recruitment.

They need to establish, foster, and maintain relationships.

As businesses, we have the opportunity, and frankly, the responsibility, to rethink and reshape how we engage with the talent of tomorrow.

Let's embrace the future with open arms, ensuring that we build not just teams, but thriving communities of engaged professionals.

Whenever you're ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:🚀

1. If you want learn more about how technology can help you lay the foundation for your direct sourcing, go here: https://bubty.com/

2. If you want to talk to me one-on-one, feel free to book a call here: https://calendly.com/bubty/dis...

See you next week for another deep dive into the world of talent pools!

if you want to dive deeper into any of these topics, you can always catch me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-willoughby-997899182/