Gen Z Hiring 2026: Traits to Look Out For (Beyond Skills)

Gen Z comprises roughly 27% of the global workforce in 2025 and an estimated 30% in 2030. Hiring pools are now filled with different expectations and purposes. 

The hiring strategies that worked in the past won't secure most talent now. You need to look beyond technical skills and evaluate traits that align with your goal and purpose. This will make you attract top talent and understand how their thought process works.  Pay close attention to the details.

 While you read about Gen Z hiring, think about how modern recognition and performance platforms can help you attract and retain these emerging professionals. 

Perkflow’s recognition and feedback solutions were built for a generation that craves continuous growth and appreciation. Learn how you can create a culture that appeals to Gen Z on our performance‑driven culture hub.

The Rise of Gen Z: A Brief Overview

Before we dive into traits, it’s important to understand who Gen Z is and what shapes their expectations.

• Digital‑native upbringing: 85% of Gen Z spend three to four hours on social media, and use AI like a mirror. They get in sync with current trends, learn new skills they find relevant to their niche. The good part is 55% of workplaces use AI to solve workplace problems, so they are quick to adapt to new technology, and this is beneficial to your workplace.
• Work‑life balance and purpose: A job with a clear sense of purpose will always rank higher for Gen Z. They value environments that fuel learning and growth. Surveys also show that 77% of Gen Z prioritize work-life balance, seeing it as key to a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.
• Ambitious yet cautious: Previously, short-term tenures were seen as a sign of disloyalty. But Gen Z is rewriting that playbook. They’re in search of growth and meaning, not just titles. They don’t chase hierarchy; they chase vision and follow it through. 
• Mental‑health awareness: Employee well-being should be an organizational responsibility. Poor management can take a real toll on mental health, and Gen Z knows this. They actively look for workplaces where leaders prioritize empathy and balance.
  

Hiring Based on Traits: How Important?

Degrees, technical competencies, and past achievements are outdated traditional hiring focus. In recent times, these factors have been only part of the evaluation process. When you hire primarily on a traditional hiring focus, you overlook candidates with purpose and agility, which are qualities that drive long-term growth. Gen Z brings a unique mix of values and behaviors that shape how they’ll engage with your company. That’s why hiring should focus on traits that truly align with your culture.

Traits to Prioritise (Beyond Skills)

1. Purpose‑Driven Mindset

Gen Z wants their work to matter. They want to see their ideas implemented, which affirms that their voice counts and fuels their productivity. Look for candidates who:

• Ask about your mission and social impact during interviews.
• Show involvement in volunteer activities or personal projects that align with their values.
• Express interest in sustainability, diversity, or community initiatives.

A purpose‑driven mindset doesn’t mean unrealistic expectations. Gen Z wants purpose alongside pay

2. Continuous Learning

In a world of constant technological change, adaptability is everything. The ability to learn fast and stay agile is a key trait to look for. When interviewing: 

• Ask about recent skills they’ve developed or online courses completed.
• Explore how they stay updated on industry trends (podcasts, newsletters, certifications).
• Present scenarios requiring quick adaptation and gauge their problem‑solving process.

 Gen Z uses AI to upskill and learn new skills quickly. They develop new capabilities weekly. Employees who treat obstacles as growth opportunities are likely to thrive.

3.  Well‑Being Awareness

Mental health shouldn’t be optional; it should be supported by your organization.

Gen Z doesn’t ignore mental health; they advocate for it. This trait helps create balance and keeps both individuals and teams in check. When interviewing:

• Ask candidates how they maintain well-being, manage stress, and set boundaries.
• Assess whether they value transparency and communication in teams.
• Provide scenarios involving heavy workloads and ask how they would ensure self‑care and support colleagues' well-being.

Mental health is an important aspect of your organization. 

4. Communication and Collaboration Skills

It takes two or more to communicate, which means communication is also about collaboration. How well someone shares ideas, listens, and builds on others’ input often determines how great the outcome will be.

• Look for evidence of teamwork in projects, peer mentoring, or student organisations.
• Use behavioural interview questions that reveal listening skills, empathy, and constructive feedback.
• Observe how they handle disagreements.

Many conflicts in the workplace stem from miscommunication. People who seek understanding and respond often prevent small issues from escalating into big problems.

5. Desire for Feedback

A desire for feedback signals openness to growth and mentorship. You need employees who not only accept feedback but also use it to improve interviews:

• Ask how they prefer to receive feedback.
• Discuss experiences where they felt valued (or not) in previous roles.
• Explore whether they seek involvement in goal setting and decision making.
  

A workplace that embraces feedback grows. A workplace that doesn't stay in the same spot for decades. 

6.  Diversity and Open-Mindedness

Values should go beyond the slogans; it's about how you handle differences. Traits to look for include:

• Advocacy: involvement in organisations that support inclusion or social justice.
• Cultural humility: willingness to learn about perspectives different from their own.
• Openness: using inclusive language, avoiding assumptions, and challenging bias.

Diversity makes your team creative. Openness makes them wise.

7. Digital and AI Fluency

With the rate at which the world is evolving digitally, you need a team that will stay in sync and updated with that. To evaluate digital fluency:

• Ask about specific tools or platforms they’ve mastered and how they used them to improve outcomes.
• Test problem-solving with unfamiliar software or ask them to brainstorm AI use cases while considering potential risks.
• Discuss information overload and how they curate trustworthy sources.

A digitally fluent team keeps your organization future-ready.

8. Entrepreneurial and Multi‑Faceted Approach

Many Gen Z employees wear multiple hats. While most companies expect 85–90% productivity, some are open to side gigs, as long as they don’t affect performance.

During hiring:

• Ask about their long-term aspirations and how they envision their career path.
• Discuss how they balance entrepreneurial pursuits with full-time roles.
• Explore how they measure their own effectiveness across commitments.

Provide clarity about growth pathways. Seek to understand, not just criticize.

Gen Z issues in the workplace: Red Flags and Challenges

Hiring for traits doesn’t mean ignoring warning signs. Here are issues to watch for:

• Job‑hopping without a growth rationale. While short tenures can reflect ambition, a pattern of leaving without clear learning outcomes could signal disengagement or unrealistic expectations.
• Resistance to feedback: Gen Z wants recognition, but they also need to receive constructive feedback. Individuals who react defensively or cannot describe lessons learned from past mistakes should be flagged.
• Poor teamwork: The ability to navigate interpersonal tensions is key to preventing conflict. Assess whether candidates struggle with face-to-face conflict resolution or prefer to avoid difficult conversations altogether.
• Close-minded: When a candidate’s thinking is limited to their own perspective, and they resist considering other viewpoints, it’s a concern. This rigidity can hinder collaboration and may signal deeper issues with adaptability and self-awareness.
• Fear of AI: The truth is, people still struggle with AI and see it as a threat instead of a helpful tool. Individuals who avoid new technologies altogether may struggle in evolving workplaces.

 Gen Z in Africa: Regional Insights

Africa is the youngest market on earth. Over half the population is under 25, so your next hires are already here. In South Africa, Gen Z is on track to be ~40% of the workforce by 2030, which means your pipelines need to speak their language now.

If your interview loop shows purpose, mentorship, and a clear runway to new skills, you’ll win offers that salary alone can’t. Recognition and feedback aren’t perks in this context; they’re the glue that keeps ambitious talent anchored.

Conclusion

Gen Z is transforming the workforce, and by 2025, they will represent a substantial portion of the world's talent pool. 

Hiring Gen Z successfully means looking beyond resumes and technical skills. It’s about evaluating traits that align with your company’s vision, culture, and future ambitions.

As this year wraps up, ask yourself: Do their strengths align with where your organization is headed?

Companies that embrace the right Gen Z traits don’t just grow, they retain tomorrow’s leaders.

Turn these traits into everyday behaviors through meaningful recognition.
Think PerkFlow.