March 9, 2023
Gen Z has grown up with unprecedented access to technology, giving them the tools they need to succeed in almost any field, including real estate. As a result, real estate professionals are now looking towards the younger generation as they seek out top talent for their businesses. From powerful software platforms that streamline transactions to personalizing your brand and generating leads with Instagram, Gen Zers have all the resources needed to become a major asset in any facet of the real estate business.
Defining Gen Zers
Gen Z is the largest generation and includes people born in the mid-to-late 1990s. According to Stanford-affiliated research on Gen Z, they can be characterized as highly collaborative, self-reliant, and pragmatic. They care deeply about others, value a flexible lifestyle, and are incredibly tech-oriented due to growing up in a digital age and having almost always had instant access to information on the internet.
Gen Zers tend to be self-starters who are eager to learn and take risks if given a chance—traits that make them especially well-suited for real estate jobs. As such, businesses looking to attract top talent should consider targeting this group of professionals when seeking employees who challenge the norms in pursuit of greater efficiency.
Challenges of Attracting Gen Zers
To recruit Gen Zers, agents must understand their values and create tailored recruitment strategies. This first generation of true digital natives has different job preferences and needs than previous generations, but also offers young professionals well worth pursuing when looking to grow your business.
When it comes to recruiting Gen Z real estate agents, it’s important to focus on workplace culture. Gen Zers value flexibility in hours, competitive salaries and benefits, as well as meaningful work with purpose. They tend to put culture first when considering applying to organizations and want to know that their workplace will value authenticity.
Hiring managers should also be open-minded when it comes to hiring methods. From leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn to holding virtual interviews via Skype or Zoom, plenty of options are available that make the recruitment process more accessible for Gen Zers, who inherently value their time and flexibility.
Benefits of Hiring Gen Zers
Gen Zers can be a powerful force in the real estate industry, bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to their work. By tapping into this talent pool, employers can gain access to an abundance of valuable skills and insights. Here are some of the more distinct advantages:
Gen Z Can Help You Adopt Emerging Technologies
The real estate industry is increasingly relying on technology, from virtual property tours to AI appraisals. Hiring Gen Z employees who are comfortable with digital tools can help real estate companies stay ahead of the curve, develop a winning social media strategy, and leverage the full potential of their CRMs.
They Value Diversity and Inclusion
Real estate companies serve clients from all walks of life, and having a diverse team can help build trust and rapport with a wider range of clients. Gen Z employees, who are the most diverse generation in history, can bring a unique perspective and help real estate companies create a more inclusive workplace and marketing strategy.
Post Millennials are Adaptable
The real estate industry can be unpredictable, with fluctuating market conditions and changing client needs. Hiring Gen Z employees who are adaptable and flexible can help real estate companies quickly pivot and respond to changing conditions.
Gen Z Tends To Have an Entrepreneurial Spirit
Many Gen Z employees are interested in starting their own businesses, which can translate into a willingness to take risks and innovate within the real estate industry. Hiring Gen Z employees with an entrepreneurial mindset can help real estate companies stay competitive and creative.
They Feel Increased Social Responsibility
The real estate industry has a significant impact on local communities, and many Gen Z employees are passionate about social and environmental causes. Hiring Gen Z employees who care about making a positive impact can help real estate companies become more socially responsible and engage with their local communities.
They’re Creative
Real estate marketing often requires creative thinking, from eye-catching property listings to social media campaigns. Gen Z employees who are interested in art, design, or music, can bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to real estate marketing.
Gen Z is Great at Multitasking
Real estate agents often have to juggle multiple tasks at once, from scheduling property showings to negotiating contracts. Gen Z employees, who are skilled at multitasking and managing multiple priorities simultaneously, can help real estate companies stay organized and efficient.
They Value a Collaborative Work Environment
Real estate deals often require collaboration between multiple parties, from agents to lenders to contractors. Hiring Gen Z employees who are comfortable working in teams and sharing ideas can help real estate companies build strong relationships and close deals more effectively.
With the abundant advantages of the emergence of Gen Zers in the workplace, let’s cover how to start recruiting this dynamic generation.
Strategies for Recruiting Gen Z Agents
When recruiting Gen Z talent, focus on building strong relationships with potential candidates. Gen Zers value transparency and open communication more than any other generation; make sure to demonstrate those qualities throughout the recruitment process by being clear about expectations and providing updates along the way.
Additionally, offer competitive compensation packages – not just salaries but also benefits such as flexible hours, remote work opportunities, and healthcare benefits. This will show that you recognize their unique needs and respect their individual lifestyles.
Next, use digital marketing tactics to reach out to prospective employees. Social media is an especially powerful tool for targeting Gen Zers. Take advantage of platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to attract young professionals looking for career advancement opportunities in real estate.
You can also create content tailored specifically to this demographic—think videos or TikToks featuring successful Gen Z agents discussing their passions and successes within the industry. Doing so will showcase what makes your company stand out from its competitors and why Gen Zers should join your team.
Retaining Gen Z Agents
One way to ensure effective Gen Z retention is to provide comprehensive training programs for new agents. These programs should focus on developing skills such as communication, negotiation, customer service, and marketing strategies that are essential for success in this industry. Be sure to remember work-life balance to ensure Gen Zers maximize their time while making sure they don’t burn out too quickly trying to learn the ropes.
To further motivate Gen Z agents, it’s important to create incentives that recognize their hard work and dedication. Recognition through rewards or bonuses will show that you value their contributions and encourage them to stay with your company longer. You can also offer incentives like flexible working hours or additional vacation time.
Finally, be sure to keep lines of communication open so you can get feedback from your staff about any suggestions they have about improving the workflow or office environment. Gen Z is full of great ideas and places high value on authentic communication. By encouraging open communication, you’ll be able to demonstrate that your organization values transparency as well and retain Gen Zers longer.
Hire Gen Z to Reap Exponential Benefits
Gen Z is the future; bringing them into your real estate team can help you keep up. With the right strategies and outreach, organizations can create a brand that draws in the best talent from this generation to open up fresh growth opportunities, access new markets, and improve the customer experience. Organizations have nothing to lose and everything to gain by expanding their recruitment efforts to Gen Z candidates.
