I interviewed 30 Gen Z candidates but hired none

In the past six months, I have interviewed about 30 candidates, most of whom were Gen Z-ers, for three staff and two sales manager positions with salaries of VND10-20 million (US$400-800) per month. I did not hire any of them. Here are a few things I have noticed about this generation:

They do not seem to know the extent of their abilities and they often fail to research the positions they are applying for.

They spend too much time on social media, leading to unrealistic expectations about life and a lack of effort.

Their communication and social interaction skills are quite poor, almost even the most basic skills, and their work attitude is concerning. Some showed up for interviews in flip-flops, others were five to 30 minutes late without any explanation. Some came wearing shirts with several buttons unbuttoned, trying to look cool.

They cannot handle pressure or demonstrate hard work in their jobs, yet they demand salaries of VND20-30 million as a fresh graduate.

With over 20 years of work experience myself, I see no career opportunities for Gen Z candidates with such mindsets.

Reader Tuan Bui Quoc

The above comment was made regarding why youth unemployment is rising. According to data from the General Statistics Office, at the end of 2020, the unemployment rate among the working-age population in Vietnam was 2.48%, the highest level in the last decade. On average, one in ten youth was unemployed. The risk of job loss for young workers was also three times higher than for previous generations.

Other readers also chimed in:

Reader Duc Nguyen:

"I was born in the 80s and graduated from university in 2011-2012. I still remember having to run around submitting job applications all over HCMC. Back then, we just hoped to find a job and work really hard to earn money and we were willing to endure any hardship.

Gen Z workers approach work and job choices quite differently and they live according to their own values.

But no one can become a team leader, middle manager, or senior manager without having to work 10 to 12 hours a day. They should be ready to dive into the most challenging situations where their teams need them and give their all to their work.

I always advise young people to live fully and give their all in their first five years after graduation. They should not be too calculating or afraid of hardship. They should work hard and accumulate as much experience and skills as possible. These steps are necessary if they want to rise to any position in any organization. At that point, money will come to them."

Reader Giang Trung Nguyen:

"Personally, I do not underestimate or criticize Gen Z. I think Generation Z is much better than previous generations. They are independent, confident and more competitive at a regional or global level than previous generations. The older generations always think they are better than the younger ones. In reality, everyone was equally inexperienced when they were young.

For example, those born in the 1950s or 1960s used to criticize younger generations for not knowing how to sew or embroider. But during their time, people had to sew their own clothes to wear. Nowadays, buying clothes in supermarkets is not difficult, so why would they need to sew?"

Reader Tuong Van:

"Gen Z is criticized for their attitude while those in the preceding generations are criticized for being too old, even though many of them are still capable of doing their jobs. In general, employers want candidates to be perfect while in reality, everyone will have their own strengths and weaknesses.

A good employer will know which candidates are suitable for their firm. If a company expects candidates to meet all its requirements, then employers should be prepared to meet those demands as well. Not all companies are professional or financially healthy, either. Therefore, recruitment is all about determining whether employers and candidates get along."

What are your thoughts on this topic?

*This opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.