Simple task that Generation Z cannot handle with the worrisome “adulting” work trend

An Australian recruiter has advised workers to “be an adult” and pick up the phone if they want to get a job. Generation Z have admitted that they are afraid to make or receive a phone call, with some even going so far as to get their parents to call for them.

Realistic Careers recruiter Tammie Christofis Ballis shared Yahoo Finance Failure to implement this seemingly simple measure cost workers job opportunities, especially given the tight labor market. She said she has noticed the trend among Generation Z and younger Millennial workers.

“They don’t want to pick up the phone or text. A lot of them say, ‘Can you email me and let me know you’re calling?'” she said.

“Be an adult and understand that the job market is competitive and that if you are not willing to be flexible, you will miss an opportunity. It really is that simple.”

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Ballis said she recently hired staff for an administrative position and received more than 400 applicants.

She shortlisted 30 candidates and when she called, only four picked up the phone.

She said those who answered the call were the ones put forward for interviews.

“If people don’t pick up the phone, the next person who calls gets shortlisted, and by the time they call back or reach out, the job is already shortlisted and it’s too late,” Ballis said.

“Anyone who picks up the phone gets the opportunity. Whoever is willing to have uncomfortable conversations wins.”

Ballis said she’s even had some parents “call and follow up on their children’s applications” to younger job seekers under 25.

“Light up. You are of age, according to the data protection law I am not allowed to talk to you about it anyway. I don’t care that you are the mother,” she said.

Generation Z is afraid of phone calls

Nearly 60 percent of Generation Z admitted that they are afraid to make or answer a call, even if it is necessary.

The story continues

According to a Commonwealth Bank study, almost half of Generation Z said they felt anxious when talking on the phone, while 42 percent said an unpleasant call was one of the three things they most wanted to avoid.

Graham Wynn, founder of Superior People Recruitment, said he believes a lack of confidence rather than competence is part of the problem, noting that “everything is now done via text or messaging”.

“They may be concerned that if they are asked questions on the spot, they will give the impression that they don’t know what they are talking about,” Wynn said Yahoo Finance.

“If you ask a question these days, [Gen Z] I’ll go online and google an answer, but I can’t do that over the phone. So I think a lack of trust is part of the problem.”

Ballis said technology has changed the way younger people communicate and many have “grown up with smartphones, social media, texting and Snapchat.” [and] all that”.

“I grew up with a landline. So when my friends wanted to call, they had to ring the phone. There was no texting, nothing like that,” she said.

Job advertisements attract “hundreds of applicants”.

The warning to pick up the phone comes as competition for jobs remains fierce.

According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the employment rate remained at 4.2 per cent in August, with the number of people in employment increasing by 47,500 and the number of unemployed falling by 10,000.

Ballis said the volume of applications she saw for positions was “unheard of,” with administrative positions seeing “hundreds of applications.”

Ballis said flexibility can be the difference between getting to the next level or not.

“When the labor market is tight, more candidates have the required skills, particularly at lower levels where specialization is not as strong,” she said.

“Your skills are not so special that I wait for you, as terrible as that may sound. I have other candidates who pick up the phone when I ask them.”

Ballis urged younger people to “get used to using the phone.”

“Get used to calling. I tell people, if there’s a number on a job ad, call it,” she said.

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