The New Wave: Generation Z in the Job Market

Are CEOs missing what truly drives Gen Z? Our survey reveals the surprising perception gap costing companies top talent

We surveyed executives across multiple industries to compare their perceptions with findings from our previous Gen Z workforce study. This direct comparison showed clear gaps between what CEOs think drives young talent and what Generation Z professionals actually want in their careers. 

Key Highlights

Perception Gap

CEOs and Gen Z have different views on what motivates young talent. While executives focus on salary and rapid advancement, Gen Z prioritizes ethics, autonomy, and continuous development. 

Work Environment

Both CEOs and Gen Z agree on the preference for hybrid work models, but executives dramatically overestimate the desire for fully remote work and underestimate the appeal of traditional office settings. 

Career Development

CEOs believe Gen Z is focused primarily on fast advancement, while the data shows job stability and long-term growth opportunities actually rank higher among young professionals’ concerns. 

Research Findings

1. Our survey captured insights from CEOs across multiple sectors, with the highest representation from industrial and consumer goods/services sectors, followed by financial and professional services (14.80% each), and technology (11.11%). 

2. 85.17% of respondents have held leadership positions for over five years, with 61.11% boasting more than a decade of executive experience, providing a seasoned perspective on workforce dynamics. 

3. Most surveyed CEOs belong to Generation X (born 1965-1980), pointing toward a generational difference that may influence their perception of younger employees’ needs and motivations. 

4. Companies are actively adapting their recruitment and retention approaches to better align with Gen Z values, focusing on learning opportunities, flexible work arrangements, and clearer career progression paths. 

Perception vs. Reality: What Gen Z Actually Wants

Role Models

CEOs Think:

Entertainment industry celebrities, business figures, and sports personalities are the primary influences for Gen Z. 

Gen Z Says:

Science, business, and art fields provide inspiration, with family members playing an important role—a factor completely overlooked by executives. 

Job Priorities

CEOs Think:

High salary, hybrid work options, and rapid advancement are what Gen Z values most in employment. 

Gen Z Says:

Personal development, decision-making autonomy, ethics, and then compensation are their top priorities—showing a more values-driven approach than executives recognize. 

Work Environment

CEOs Think:

27.78% believe Gen Z wants fully remote work, with the remainder preferring a hybrid model. None expected Gen Z to value traditional office settings. 

Gen Z Says:

Only 3.84% prefer fully remote work, while 10.49% actually value traditional office environments—challenging executive assumptions about workplace preferences. 

Read Our Full Survey Report

Understanding the real priorities of Generation Z is critical for companies looking to attract and retain top young talent. Our survey report provides insights to help bridge the perception gap. 

Click here to get the full report.