Gen Z Jobseekers in Search of Freedom and Security

Nov 01-2022   

Over 80% of China’s Generation Z jobseekers aspire to become digital nomads, and 15% have managed to cash in on their skills online, said Hu Jiayin, NSD Assistant Professor, in a recent event jointly held by the NSD and zhaopin.com.

The event featured the annual report on 2022 China’s best employers and speeches of scholars and experts. Based on data on zhaopin.com, a leading recruitment platform, Prof. Hu presented some of the trends and mentalities of jobseekers born after 2000.

This group of young people hanker after freedom, but also desire stability. Over half of jobseekers hope to ‘cross’ into a profession different from their university majors or into an industry different from their current ones. They make more attempts to push the boundaries than previous generations.

More than 10% of them choose to freelance, a reflection of the possibilities in the digital age for young to try to become bloggers or influencers on platforms or be part of the gig economy. On the other hand, the digital age, with its creative disruptions, has also led to a sense of insecurity for many. As a result, over 30% of jobseekers prefer jobs with SOEs. The paradox, according to Prof. Hu, underlines the diversity and complexity innate with the digital age.

When their labor rights are infringed upon, around 70% opt to fight back resolutely. Those born after 2000 are doing the workplace right because they understand themselves well, access more information, and have relatively well-off families backing them up, said Prof. Hu.