😳 A+ Gen Z Candidate Tells All

Wow.

I just sat down with an A+ candidate to find out what she looks for in employers before applying.

And what has been putting her off.

For the purposes of anonymity, I’ve changed her name to Lara (same name as my sister who is also an A+ player but happily working as an accountant at Southwark Council).

LaraA+ is an incredibly promising black female graduating this summer and looking for a role in Marketing.

Here is what LaraA+ is looking for from an employer in order:

1.) Salary & Benefits 💰

"I'm looking for a salary in the range of £30-35k. Anything below £30k simply isn't feasible given the current cost of living crisis. After taxes, there's hardly anything left to make ends meet. It’s not that money is the most important thing but it’s a dealbreaker if the salary is too low”

(You’d think LaraA+ is from London right? Wrong. She’s from the North, way beyond the wall.)

2.) Company Culture 🤲🏽

"I'm seeking a culture that respects my individuality, supports my boundaries, values D&I and prioritises work-life balance. For me, mental health is paramount, and while I'm committed to putting in the effort, I refuse to compromise my well-being for the sake of my job. Hearing about a lawyer taking their life reinforced my belief that employers bear responsibility for their employee’s welfare."

3.) Meaningful Work 🚀

"I'm excited by the idea of purposeful and meaningful work, especially in industries that spark my passion, those that I’m already interested in outside of work. I crave work that goes beyond the surface, where I can create stories or contribute to products or services that connect deeply with people around something they really value."

4.) Building Skills 🛠️

"I'm eager to continuously gain and develop new skills, taking on every opportunity to learn and grow. I want a role where I can master new tools like maybe Photoshop and Lightroom or to dive into marketing strategies and data analysis to understand how companies make decisions. I’d love the opportunity to acquire knowledge that empowers me to make informed decisions and contribute effectively in my role."

5.) Mentorship 💡

"I've found so much value in mentorship. Having a mentor or a buddy to bounce ideas off of and receive constructive feedback from has been invaluable to me. It's essential that the mentor have a personality that fosters open communication and makes me feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and concerns."

6.) Stability 🪨

"I place a high value on stable employment, especially given the uncertainties of mass layoffs and rising living costs. Hearing about so many individuals in the tech industry being let go at short notice or even worse - just having their company logins removed! Has shown the importance of stability for me. I hope to find employment that is safe where I can focus without worrying about job security.”

7.) Growth Opportunities 🌱

"I'm looking for a company that offers potential to grow where I can imagine a long-term commitment. Rather than hopping from job to job, I aspire to grow with a single organisation, gaining experience and insights over time. It's not just about finding a great company; it's about finding the right fit where I can thrive and evolve professionally."

Btw if you want to chat about this and other insights from underrepresented talent to contribute to your strategy drop a call into my diary here so we can increase representation

🤔 My key takeaways:

Before you leave.

These golden nuggets of candidate insights aren’t free.

If you want them to keep coming and to be even more useful there’s a price.

And that price is…

If there is someone in your network in TA or HR who would find this useful please share your custom link below. It makes all the difference. 🙏🏽

Until next time, happy talent attracting.

Tobi