Young people from 17 to 26 years old want to develop their careers and seek the support of a leader. Wages and benefits go to second place.

By Marcelo Vianna, partner-director at Conquest One

For years, wages have been one of the key elements to retain professionals aged between 17 and 26 years old –the so called Generation Z that is entering the labour market or that has recently started working. However, since 2010 that reality has been changing, and currently high wages and benefits are becoming less important when compared to professional development. The ideal company for this generation is the sort of company that provides opportunities for professional development, enabling workers to do what they like, challenging them constantly and promoting innovation.

They want to fly high and rely on organizations and their leaders. The kind of leader these youngsters like is the inspiring leader – the kind of “coach boss” who guides, provides feedback, knows the employee’s expectations and aligns those expectations with the organization’s existing opportunities. The ideal company has the tools to really make those opportunities happen, -though, clearly, when the time is right.

Young people have great expectation regarding their professional careers. According to a research developed by Cia de Talentos, their main goal is to get a leading role. Consequently, they want a visionary leader, who is intellectually capable and who has ethical attitudes.

Young Brazilians understand that, in order to build a professional career they need the support of the organization. This is such an important issue that 94% of the people surveyed in the research claimed they would leave their company if their leader was not willing to encourage their development.

Truth be told, certain values have changed since the beginning of the past decade. Life’s quality is related to what the company offers the employee for his/her professional evolution, with a flexible working environment and with incentives for innovation. High wages become less important. Therefore, to welcome the upcoming generation, companies need to be creative and to invest. Corporate education programs with online training courses are a good idea to start investing in professional development.

Companies also need to develop a culture that stimulates creativity, as this is the basis of innovation. And that is an aspect in which the new generation is more than willing to contribute. In addition, both parties must be committed: young people must be willing to contribute and generate a legacy. Moreover, before they get a job at their ideal company, they must clearly know the kind of contribution they want to provide for the organization.