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NEW Job Paradox: Should I stay or should I go?
Plus: The Gen Z Job Paradox + Recruit and Retain
🎙️ Did You Know? On this day in 1941, the famous comic strip Superman debuted in a daily format. 🦸♂️
Who would have thought that nearly 100 years later, this character would still be a central part of pop culture? We all dream of leaving such a lasting legacy with our work, but to do that, we have to be in the right place. The real question is, how do you know when it's time to stay and when it's time to fly?
Quit or Keep?
The anxiety of a new job
Starting a new job feels like stepping into uncharted waters. Exciting? Check. Overwhelming? Check, check. It's natural to wonder, "Am I in the right place?" Those feelings of self-doubt and fear of failure are common, but knowing when to adapt versus when to move on can make all the difference.
The following are our honest suggestions, no affiliate links or kickbacks apply.
Imposter syndrome is real, but remember that there is always a learning curve.
Before you hit "Apply" on another job listing, take a breath. A new job comes with a learning curve, and jumping ship too soon might mean missing out on personal growth and opportunities. Your RoadMap to decide:
➡️ Give Yourself Time.
Adjusting to a new role can take months. Mistakes are part of learning, so embrace them as stepping stones.
➡️ Tap Into Your Why.
Why did you take this job? Reflect on your goals and how this role fits into the bigger picture.
➡️ Find Your Allies.
Build connections with supportive colleagues. Having someone to share your wins and challenges with can make the transition smoother.
When It’s Time to Walk Away
While perseverance is a virtue, there are times when staying does more harm than good. Here are some clear signs it might be time to look elsewhere:
➡️ Toxic Work Environment.
Harassment, unethical behavior, or relentless negativity aren’t worth enduring.
➡️ No Growth in Sight.
If the role offers no room for advancement or doesn’t challenge you, it’s time to re-evaluate.
➡️ Mental Health Toll.
If the job is draining your well-being, it’s okay to prioritize yourself.
Every new job comes with challenges, but it's how you handle them that will shape your career. Trust your instincts, look at the bigger picture, and remember that every experience, even the tough ones, helps you grow.
Ava Martinez
Gen Z is entering the workforce with tech-savvy skills and bold ideas, but there's a troubling trend: young employees are getting fired or leaving their jobs earlier than expected.
This mismatch between what Gen Z expects and what employers demand is changing the modern workplace. From the employer's point of view, the main challenges are Gen Z's perceived lack of soft skills, high turnover rates, and difficulty adapting to remote or hybrid work. Employers also report cultural clashes, as Gen Z prioritizes values like diversity and mental health that may conflict with traditional corporate norms.
For Gen Z, dissatisfaction stems from rigid work environments, unmet career expectations, and inadequate mentorship. High-pressure cultures and insufficient mental health support exacerbate stress and disengagement. Social media further amplifies workplace frustrations, influencing attitudes and fueling transparency around toxic cultures.
To make things better, companies need to do a better job of showing Gen Z what they need to know to be successful. Management needs to change how they work with their teams to make them feel trusted and able to work together.
Want to get inside the minds of recruiters? Let's see what they're reading 👀📖
In Managing Generation Z by Robin Paggi and Kat Clowes, the authors offer a practical, easy-to-understand guide for managers looking to navigate the communication challenges and expectations of this tech-savvy, highly educated generation. Drawing on Clowes' deep understanding of Gen Z habits and Paggi's extensive HR experience, the book provides essential insights on how to connect with Gen Z employees and avoid generational miscommunications that can lead to costly workplace problems.
Why It Matters
Of course, understanding your recruiters and bosses is the best hack for securing your job, but the book really goes beyond that. Managing Generation Z is a master class on how to improve communication in the work environment and enrich your soft skills. Plus, it's always useful to understand how they perceive you from the other side.
RoadMap is a private network for recent college grads embarking on their job search and early career journey.