{"id":50582,"date":"2022-06-15T14:46:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-15T18:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peaksalesrecruiting.com?p=50582"},"modified":"2025-08-11T21:49:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T01:49:51","slug":"how-to-grow-and-develop-gen-z-salespeople","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksalesrecruiting.com\/blog\/how-to-grow-and-develop-gen-z-salespeople\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Grow And Develop Gen Z Salespeople"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Generation Z salespeople are the future of the sales profession.\u00a0Recruiting and developing this generation of talent requires new approaches.\u00a0Peak Sales Recruiting<\/a>\u00a0has a track record of finding sales managers and executives for clients in technology, industrial sales, and other sectors.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four Trends That Are Shaping Gen Z<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first step to engaging Generation Z is understanding the trends shaping this demographic.\u00a0Born between 1997 to 2012, this generation is even more digitally native than the Millennial generation that came before them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Internet Use<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Heavy Internet usage is a common habit for Gen Z.\u00a0According to\u00a0eMarketer<\/a>, Internet penetration for Gen Z is forecast to reach 99.1% by 2024.\u00a0In comparison, Millennials are lagging slightly at 97%.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Diversity<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Beyond Internet usage,\u00a0diversity is a crucial factor to keep in mind for Generation Z.\u00a0Gen Z might be the most pro-diversity generation ever. The\u00a0Pew Research Center<\/a>\u00a0found that 62% of Gen Z agree that increasing racial\/ethnic diversity is good for diversity. In addition, about one-third of Gen Z people know somebody who uses a gender-neutral pronoun.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Higher Debt<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Financially, Gen Z grew up during a period of low-interest rates, which may have contributed to the generation\u2019s high debt load. Gen Z graduates tend to have a student loan debt of over $17,000 and often use \u201cbuy now pay later\u201d lending services to make purchases.\u00a0These debt figures will likely grow as more of the generation enters post-secondary education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Impacted By The COVID-19 Pandemic<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Many generations have a defining event or crisis that influences how they view the world.\u00a0The financial crisis profoundly shaped the Millennial generation, and the Great Recession of 2007-2009 impacted careers, earnings, and outlook.\u00a0For Gen Z, that defining event might be the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0It led to unprecedented restrictions on the economy, travel, social life and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategies To Attract and Grow Gen Z Employees<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recruiting and retaining Generation Z sales talent is challenging.\u00a0Axios<\/a>\u00a0estimates that 25% of Gen Z employees will change jobs in the next six months.\u00a0Gen Z is changing jobs faster than older generations.\u00a0To stand out and recruit talent, keep the following principles in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Make your commitment to flexible and remote work clear<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The pandemic brought large-scale remote work to millions of people. For Gen Z, that remote work revolution arrived just as many were starting their careers. As a result, research has found that\u00a0Gen Z employees are 77% more likely to pay attention to job postings with flexibility.\u00a0Therefore, if you can offer remote or hybrid work, state that fact front and center in your sales job postings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Offering flexibility to new salespeople can take a few forms.\u00a0Start by improving new employee onboarding programs for an era of flexible work.\u00a0Focus on results and goals rather than rigidly working a 9-5 schedule. For example, help a newly recruited sales development representative set weekly goals for sales activity (e.g., \u201cMake X prospecting calls\u201d or \u201cSet 5 qualified meetings\u201d). A weekly goal means the employee has the flexibility to apply themselves to meet their goals while retaining flexibility.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Refocus on diversity and inclusion initiatives <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned above, diversity is an essential concern for Gen Z employees. Self-assess your progress on diversity matters by considering the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n