Every few months, I receive an email from business owners sharing how different Gen Z Filipino workers are compared to their predecessors.
For example, I got one where this business owner noticed that his younger workers tend to call him by his first name very quickly; unlike most of his millennial workers who still call him “Sir”.
The few millennials who do call him by his first name have taken them years to shake off that habit.
In another email, this businesswoman complained that younger workers don’t know how to write cover letters, or their resumes look pretty but lack substance.
Joven and Julia have mentioned this to me a few times when we had an opening here at Onlinejobs.ph. Some Gen Z workers, despite having impressive portfolios and resumes, appear to have a distinct approach when it comes to applying for work and being an online professional.
I think this is partly due to the fact that they’re the first generation of Filipinos to have grown up knowing someone who works from home. They’ve seen their parents or their relatives work from home. They see that working from home is often less formal compared to those who go to offices and have “regular” jobs.
Gen Z is also more exposed to Western culture than previous generations, primarily due to the widespread use of social media. They have parasocial relationships with influencers where it’s normal to call each other by their username or handle. So when you tell a Gen Z VA that they can call you by your first name, they think nothing of it.
Does that make Gen Z Filipino VAs better or worse?
They’re definitely different from the VAs I have hired before, but their youth and enthusiasm make them really good at certain things.
Social media is one of them. The younger generation is more familiar with social media. If you want your social media accounts to stand out more, a younger social media manager might be a good fit.
Video editing? Yep.
The younger generation is also more likely to be tech-proficient compared to the older generations. They work faster because they grew up around technology.
Lastly, I appreciate the younger generation’s energy and enthusiasm. They’re not yet set in their ways, so they’re not afraid to learn new things. They’re easier to train, hungry to prove themselves, and quick to adapt.
Young and hungry. Yes please.
I may not fully understand Gen Z, but younger business owners and entrepreneurs would likely find it easier to work with Gen Z virtual assistants. With social media, Gen Z Filipinos and Americans likely have more things in common compared to older generations.
At the end of the day, what matters most is that you hire the person you feel works best with your business. That person can come from any generation; the important thing is that they have the right personality and skills for the job.
If you’re looking to hire young and hungry online workers for your business, you can find them at Onlinejobs.ph.
John