Generation Z is a cohort that is often characterised by their ambition and desire for success.
However, they are also hugely motivated by social impact within their workplace. Seventy-five per cent would leave their current job for one with a greater impact on global issues, and a more robust corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy.
And that isn’t all they want. A recent study of more than 3,000 Gen Z workers by RippleMatch shows that almost half expect an annual promotion––and are prepared to quit if they don’t get one within 18 months.
However, with a 38% increase in senior-sounding job titles flooding the jobs market, despite 71% of employers claiming Gen Zs are lacking in soft skills, a major disconnect could be at play.
Rise of title inflation
In a tight labour market, companies need to be seen as the best option for talent attraction. Escalating perks and benefits, unlimited PTO, as well as inflated job titles, are all symptoms of this. In essence, job title inflation is the practice of attaching more experienced or elevated job titles to positions that don’t warrant it.
It can lead to a misrepresentation of a person’s skill set, and result in unrealistic expectations being placed on an individual as their performance ability and execution of duties simply does not align with what is required for such a role.
It’s important to be aware of the pitfalls of pretence when it comes to elevated titles in the workplace, as they may affect the overall reputation of a company.
If standards are not met due to a lack of skills and experience from employees holding what are ostensibly senior positions, it could potentially damage external perception among clients, stakeholders, and industry peers as well as potential talent.
Clear pathways for progression and transparency around meaningful promotions are important for fostering a more open, equitable workplace, and enabling a fair system where employees can grow and succeed within an organisation.
This also may help remove the risk of workers being offered job-title-only promotions but with no additional pay.
Title transparency
Inflated job titles can dilute the sacrifices and hard work it takes to get to a senior position, and can result in low morale and job dissatisfaction from those who engage in its practice.
It can potentially alienate workers from putting themselves forward for a role in the first place too if the title is too lofty, and it’s not just young workers who miss out, because this can weaken talent pools for employers too.
Recent data showed that advertising roles with “Senior” in the title attract on average 39% fewer applicants, and 27% fewer female applicants.
Potential candidates will use the job title to determine whether they qualify. If the title doesn’t match the requirements, that can be a big deterrent for qualified job seekers––and a big missed opportunity for employers.
It’s clear that merit-based, meaningful promotions are crucial in motivating employees to advance in their careers. Organisations should prioritise investment in alternative solutions to retain young talent in place of job title inflation.
Employee development and training or offering mentoring opportunities, for example, can yield a more sustainable and fulfilling career path for Gen Z workers and their future.
If you’re curious about your next move, we’ve rounded up three exciting openings on the Silicon Canals Job Board that are looking for talent this week.
A.I Designer, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Are you a skilled AI Designer with experience within the gaming industry?
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This position boasts an attractive salary and benefits package, including an allowance to cover Dutch mandatory health insurance. Full details can be found here.
Frontend Software Engineer, Ledger, Paris, France.
Ledger, one of the top global platforms for digital assets, is hiring a talented and passionate Frontend Developer with expertise in React to join the development team. In this role, you will collaborate closely with UI/UX designers and backend developers to create visually appealing and intuitive user interfaces for web applications.
Strong proficiency in React and its core principles, alongside proficiency in web technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript are essential. More information on this fast-paced role and details on how to apply can be viewed here.
Linux Security Engineer, Cybersecurity Department, Berlin, Germany.
A pioneering cybersecurity company is searching for a highly experienced Linux Security Engineer to join its cybersecurity department. The role can be performed fully remote from Germany, and the ideal candidate must hold a B.Sc. in computer science or M.Sc. in IT security, and at least five years’ of proven experience as a senior security engineer.
Proficiency in CPP, Python, Bash, and other scripting languages is required to be considered. If this sounds like the right move for you, the full job specification is available here.
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Read the orginal article: https://siliconcanals.com/news/startups/kai/guestblog/title-inflation-at-work/
