Gen Z in the Workforce

What’s really behind the concerns employers have about recent college graduates?

The numbers are getting attention, but the bigger story isn’t simply that employers are frustrated with Gen Z.

It’s that many young professionals are entering the workforce at a time when the expectations of employees and employers don’t always line up.

A December 2024 Intelligent.com survey of 1,000 hiring managers found that:

• 33% said recent graduates lack work ethic
• 29% viewed them as entitled
• 28% said they lacked motivation
• 25% said they didn’t respond well to feedback
• 24% considered recent graduates unprepared for the workforce
• 49% said candidates struggled with eye contact
• 42% said candidates dressed inappropriately
• 38% said candidates asked for unreasonable compensation 

And there’s another piece of the conversation worth looking at.

A 2026 Zety survey of 1,001 Gen Z workers found that 20% said a parent had joined a job interview. That included 15% for in-person interviews and 5% for virtual interviews. The same survey found that 44% said their parents had helped write or edit their résumé and 21% said a parent had contacted a potential employer or recruiter on their behalf. 

So what could be causing some of these gaps?

For many recent graduates, college may have prepared them academically without necessarily teaching them how to navigate every part of professional life. Interview etiquette, workplace communication, negotiating compensation, receiving criticism, setting boundaries, networking and understanding organizational culture are skills that often have to be learned through experience.

There’s also a confidence issue.

Interestingly, another Intelligent.com survey found that 77% of recent graduates felt at least somewhat prepared for the workforce, yet 6 in 10 said they had experienced challenges during the interview process. That suggests confidence and actual workplace readiness aren't always the same thing. 

And this isn't entirely a problem with young workers.

Employers have a role too. New graduates need training, mentorship, clear expectations and constructive feedback. They shouldn't be expected to automatically know the unwritten rules of a workplace they have never experienced before.

The goal shouldn't be to shame young professionals.

It should be to help them become more prepared, confident and capable.

That’s where Plan Everything 365 comes in.

We’re here to help you get job-ready, build professional confidence and develop the skills that can make a difference before you walk into the interview room or your first day on the job.

From résumé and interview tips to workplace etiquette, productivity, communication, leadership and professional development, Plan Everything 365 is here to help you navigate work with more confidence and intention.

Because being job-ready isn't just about getting the job.

It's about being prepared to succeed once you get there.

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