How to engage your Gen Z new starters

Want the secret to engaging your Gen Z new starters? 

Better known as the ‘outspoken newcomers’, Gen Z are entering the workforce thick and fast. After the traumas of the pandemic, the Quiet Quitting epidemic, plus the rise of AI in the workplace, having Gen Z join your team might feel a little daunting. 

However, far from it! They’re ready to shake things up and make a difference - definitely the energy boosts any workforce could benefit from.  

So, how’s best to keep them engaged whilst you onboard them? You don’t want them to lose interest within their first week and take that talent elsewhere, and heaven forbid they become… BORED. 

That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 ways you can engage your Gen Z new starters to easily get them integrated and realise their full potential as soon as possible. 

If you’re interested in more ways you can upgrade your onboarding strategy, why not check out our onboarding packs? Tailored to your new starters' needs, onboarding packs are a great way to promote your company culture, as well as make your onboarding experience run as smoothly as possible. They’re a quick and easy solution for onboarding bliss.

Ready to find out more? 

How to engage your Gen Z new starters

1. Amazing onboarding packs 

The key to a great onboarding pack is one that makes your new starters feel welcome right from the start. That old saying, “first impressions count” is more important than ever now that the traditional work environment is evolving quickly.

An onboarding pack is your first touchpoint with new starters, their first glimpse at your company culture. It has to strike the right balance between engagement and information. 

You want them to know what’s expected of them, but you want them to be excited. Like, really excited!

Starting a new position comes with a lot of logistical paperwork and lots to remember. An onboarding pack that keeps in mind what your new starters will face in the first few weeks will be their ultimate survival guide, and they’ll be sure to thank you for it!

Tailor your onboarding pack to suit their needs and your onboarding goals, plus personalise items to make new recruits feel welcome. With us, you can design it all from start to finish, enabling you to create the onboarding pack of your dreams. 

Read more: 10 easy steps for onboarding pack success

2. A clear onboarding strategy 

71% of UK office workers agreed that they would have settled into their new role much more quickly with a clear onboarding process to follow. 

Your onboarding goals have to be flexible, and your processes streamlined. It has to be fun and engaging and can no longer be only a single-day event. 

A successful onboarding program can make the difference between congratulating your new starters on finishing their first year, to waving goodbye to them after a week. That’s because an effective onboarding process can make or break a new hire. 

A new starter that has a successful onboarding experience is 58% more likely to still be at the same company 3 years later. By setting the right tone, with guidelines of what’s expected of your new starter, plus setting clear objectives, you’re more likely to retain that talent. 

With a tailored onboarding strategy that tackles any uncertainties head-on, you’ll minimise any wavering confidence in your new employee.

 Read more: Here’s a quick and easy trick for onboarding new starters

3. Shout about employee benefits 

81% of employees who know about and can easily access their benefits feel a lot more loyal to their employer than those who can’t. 

It’s even been found that a whopping 79% actually report feeling proud to work for them - and that’s why it’s key to engage your new starters by making sure they are fully aware of the employee benefits available. 
Gen Z especially appreciates meaningful connections with brands, so showing them how you want to benefit them from the get-go will do wonders for engaging your new workforce. 

Read more: 6 ways to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day

4. Help them embrace the company culture 

What’s your company culture? 

By making sure it’s a positive environment to work in, plus coherent throughout thanks to your distinctive brand values, helping your Gen Z new starters embrace your company culture can help them feel part of the team faster. 

If your company culture was made clear in the interview process, your new starter should already know if they’re a good fit for your brand, however, it never hurts to encourage this further. 

Think: new merch, benefits and discussion points. 

If they feel motivated by the company values, they’re more likely to enjoy their work from the start. 

5. Champion a mentorship program 

Depending on their role or position, encouraging them to join a mentorship program within your company can be amazing for ongoing engagement. 

This will help your new starters settle in faster with informal guidance, as well as give them a point of contact for when there might be minor issues they want to discuss. 

Also, it’s been shown that those with mentors are twice as likely to stay at the company. Win, win! 

Read more: 9 ways to support your hybrid workforce

6. Ensure there’s an open-door policy 

There’s nothing worse than starting somewhere new and not knowing who to go to when you have a question. 

Ensuring all managers and team leaders have an open-door policy allows for an open flow of communication, plus closer working relationships. 

It promotes a culture of friendly openness and boosts morale - exactly what you need to keep your Gen Z new starters happy. 

7. Invest in some green office space 

Don’t fret, this doesn’t have to be a lot! But having some space where your new starters can chill and recharge in nature is an ideal way to keep them engaged. 

Since the pandemic, Gen Z now craves that slower pace of life - where plants thrive. 

And, as they are now known as the ‘sustainability generation’, a space dedicated to enjoying the outdoors will keep them growing within your team. 

Read more: Why are plants so popular with Gen Z?

8. Spotlight the importance of mental health

Last year alone, 595,000 UK workers suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety. Horrible, right? 

To ensure your new starters (or, anyone who works for your brand, for that matter) don’t fall into this demographic, it’s important to spotlight the importance of mental health from the get-go. 

Ensure your team is aware of any mental health support you offer, and make it clear that understanding and educating employees on mental health is one of your top priorities - and back this up with actions! 

Read more: How to support your staff with their mental health

9. Share your powerful brand message 

Having a clear and powerful brand message is key in helping your new starters feel passionate about your brand. Gen Z appreciates authenticity and positive actions. Make sure your brand story incorporates these factors for ultimate success. 

And, you can see Gen Z embracing strong brand messages in their personal lives, with 1 in 2 Gen Zers wanting companies to take a stance on social issues. 

It’s time to focus on the stories behind the brand!

10. Remember, you were new too once 

Think back to when you started your career or your current position. What would you have wanted to know? What would you have done differently? 

Gen Z might just be starting to enter the workforce, but they still want what every other employee wants: communication, acknowledgement, growth and trust. 

Put what you’ve learned from your personal experiences into practice for successful ongoing engagement. 

Branded merch they’ll love 

Get your Gen Z new starters settled and enjoying their new role fast with branded product media. 

 Want them super excited about their new position? From mindblowing onboarding packs to personalised showstoppers, we’ve got everything you need to make your onboarding strategy as engaging and amazing as possible. 

For more information on how we can help, why not request a call-back from one of our expert merchandise consultants today? We’d love to chat about how merch could help you reach your branding goals!