What do Gen Z Think?

In this week's episode, I am joined by Jakob. He is 18.

Jakob connected with me over the summer on LinkedIn. I was intrigued as to why an 18-year-old would want to connect, hence, before accepting, I asked him.

He said he had found my videos on YouTube useful in helping him build out his LinkedIn profile, and he wanted to connect. I also learned that he hosted his own podcast, which I have been on.

I am not one for labelling profiles, as in my experience they do not hold true, however, Jakob is a Gen Z, therefore is growing up in a very different world to the one I did. I was interested to explore this further.

We talk about the impact the last 18 months or so has had on him and his peers.

What he and his friend did with their newly found spare time in early 2020? Which he described as, what any teenager with time on their hands would do, which is set up an Amazon FBA business. Very different to what I did, or could do as a teenager with time on their hands.

We chat about the importance of exams, grades, the impact this has had on some of his peer's mental health - with this "perceived" pressure that it is all about the grades to succeed in life - any Gary Vee fans out there will know his view on this.

Jakob talks about how social media is almost a 24/7 thing for his generation. I talk about the potential impact this has on being able to network in person, how this might impact any roles in a business where day to day conversation is required, especially in a sales role.

Jakob shares why he decided to defer University for a year, turn down an apprenticeship offer from a major firm and join a tech business. He also talks about how he got the role, and didn't need a CV to do this - and why he believes CVs are a somewhat antiquated way to gauge someone's ability.

I ask him about the expectations from an employer and their use of technology in the workplace as well as allowing employees to have a voice on social media. I challenge the social media side of things, to look at the perspective that we now seem to be in a world where everything has to be documented online, and the potential impact this could have on an employer brand, and ones career opportunity.

I hope you enjoy this one, I felt we only scratched the surface, however, it's great to see such confidence and get up and go with Jakob. If there are more like him, both young Men & Women, we are going to be in good hands.

Connect with Jakob here https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakobheptinstall/

Subscribe to his podcast here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNkpW9V6gAWkNiuAeNGUVwA

As ever, thank you for listening, please do subscribe and share with your network!