Job Applicants Skip This 'Essential' Step in the Hiring Process — and It Hurts Their Chances, Experts Say The youngest generation of job applicants is doing things differently.
By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas
Key Takeaways
- Despite a favorable job market, recent graduates struggle to land roles.
- There's a disconnect between young job seekers’ practices and hiring managers' expectations.
Although unemployment is low and job openings are high, many Americans searching for their next role are finding it difficult to secure one, perhaps in part because of enduring expectations from the "Great Resignation," CNBC reported.
That means some young applicants, including just-graduated Gen Zers, have trouble even getting their foot in the door.
Just over 70% of 20- to 29-year-olds who received a bachelor's degree in 2023 were employed in October of that year — down from 76.4% the previous year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Related: Most Gen Z Workers Want This One Thing From Their Employer. Are You Providing It?
Numerous factors might contribute to the decline, including economic conditions, choice of major, relevant experience and more. However, some experts contend that the problem lies in the hiring process itself — with Gen Z job applicants who lack professionalism.
A study from Adobe Acrobat, which surveyed 1,000 job-seekers and hiring professionals on their resume beliefs, found key differences among applicant approaches and hiring professionals' expectations.
First, 25% of Gen Z admit they never submit a cover letter with their resume, despite the fact that 75% of hiring managers consider cover letters "helpful" or "essential" to the hiring process, according to the study.
Related: Cracking the Gen Z Code Is Easier Than You Think — Here's How to Navigate the Generation Gap at Work
Additionally, Gen Z applicants are the least likely of any generation to customize their materials for the role they're applying for — only 55% of respondents said they tailor their resumes every time.
And those that make changes might use AI to do it, a prospect that divides hiring professionals.
Sixty-four percent of respondents said they approve of candidates using AI on resumes, while the rest aren't convinced — even though 33% of Gen Z respondents said they've used AI to create their resumes.
