Interviewing with Gen Z and Millennial Managers: What They’re Really Looking For
- amy Leighton
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
Time really does fly by. Gen Z is quickly moving into the most represented generation in the work force. By 2025, the top end of Gen Z is 28 years old, so they have been adults and a part of the work force for at least 10 years. Millennials top out at 45 years old, so they are even more seasoned. That makes Gen Z and Millennials the people who fill many managerial roles. Here are a few things that are important to them if you’re interviewing with someone from these generations soon.
They both focus on work-life balance. Gen X and Baby Boomers are more known to put their heads down and work regardless of the personal cost. The generations that came after them want to strike the balance between working hard and having flexibility. Managers from the younger generations may want you to talk about the non-negotiables of a job and you’re willingness to do these tasks. They want to know that you can still accomplish vital tasks even though they are more likely to encourage a work-life balance. In other words, they want to know you won’t use the work-life balance pursuit as a reason to become lazy at your job.
They both focus on communication. Both Millennials and Gen Z believe in open communication, though sometimes it may show up differently. Millennials grew up on digital communication but they also remember using more traditional types of discourse, so they can effectively use both. Gen Z was saturated with digital communication from birth so, they are both comfortable all forms of this communication including video conferencing, instant messaging, and platforms like Slack. Millennial managers will appreciate direct correspondence while Gen Z managers like visual communication and value and integrate diversity.
They both value collaboration and inclusion. Millennials and Gen Z managers want to know you can work with other people. They appreciate a team-centric approach to working. Both generations want employees to feel they have a place to share their ideas and participate in decision making. Both appreciate transparency and want their companies to reflect their values. They both look for employees who also value these aspects of working.
When you have an interview lined up, it’s important to both prepare for the substance of the interview and for who you’ll be interviewing with. If you find out someone from a younger generation will be interviewing you as a the hiring manager or as your new boss, prepare yourself to adjust to their communication style. They will likely focus more on digital forms of communication. They are also likely to care about social issues. To make the best impression, adjust your typical ways of communicating and prepare yourself to talk about today’s hot topics and work-life balance.
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