Thanh Nguyen, founder of Anphabe, announces the result of the 50 best employers survey of students’ perceptions. — Photo courtesy of Anphabe

Generation Z has its own unique preferences and perspectives on careers that companies must adapt to in order to retain top talent, a survey has found.

The survey, done online by Anphabe, a human resource consultancy for management-level professionals between November and March, polled more than 23,200 students from 93 universities nationwide.

Gen Z refers to people born between 1998 and 2010.

Many of them are on the cusp of entering the job market and will soon account for 25 per cent of the workforce, according to Anphabe.

Gen Zers put a high value on free-form work styles and start-up environment, with 34 per cent of respondents targeting working for start-ups or setting up their own business and 8 per cent preferring freelance jobs.

Fourteen per cent of Gen Zers said they preferred non-profit social work jobs.

Advertising, communications and entertainment are the most attractive industries for a career, followed by cuisine and leisure.

Gen Zers are tech-dependent and most likely engage in online job-seeking behaviours.

Around 40 per cent of Gen Z had part-time jobs when they were first-year students.

Thanh Nguyen, founder of Anphabe, said people of the Gen Z generation, who freely follow their own visions, would bring a more adaptable mindset to the workplace.

Buy they need coaching from managers to identify their strengths and overcome their weaknesses, she said.

Anphabe and market research firm Intage Vietnam on May 7 announced the results of the 50 best employers survey which polled more than 23,000 university students. — VNS