Gen Z prefers to gig work over 9-5 jobs.

In this highly competitive market, getting a job is very difficult for freshers to stand out in the opportunities. The gig economy allows younger generations to work on projects remotely for companies across the globe from their accommodation.

With the growth in the gig economy, students and graduates are more influenced by self-employment trends. These younger generations are referred to as Gen Z.

Gen Z is the people born between 1997 and 2000 who chose the gig economy because it offers a flexible working environment. They are the youngest generation entering the workforce, with half of Gen Z considering freelancing to supplement a traditional job.

What is the gig work?

The term gig is derived from the slang term for a live musical performance. The jazz musical community performed paid works in American jazz clubs for a short period in the early 1990s.
The concept came from the gig economy, which characterized short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. Gig workers are those who work temporary jobs or on a contractual basis. It enables more freedoms, setting hours of own, working from home, and being their boss.
During the pandemic, we saw a cultural and ideological shift due to safety reasons. Now most talented individuals are actively seeking the best work-life balance, which offers the flexibility of self-employment.
It is no doubt that after the pandemic, many companies are actively looking for gig workers who can efficiently and independently work on a contractual or part-time basis.

Here are some reasons why Gen Z prefers gig working:

1.Digital Native: Gen Z grew up in a digital environment. They grew up in a technologically advanced culture, so, naturally, they would want to use that technology to make employment more flexible to their schedules. These younger populations are advancing their skills to fit in with the technological environment. More than any other generation, Gen Z are seeking remote work that they are passionate about and also that affords them freedom and flexibility. The prediction shows that Gen X and Baby Boomers will be the majority of the workforce in the next five years because Gen Z is more into remote working.

2.Freedom to work: The reason people freelance because it offers the complete freedom to work in comfort pace, sort things out on their own, and have control over the workload. Gen Z, compared to other generations, are not office workers. They hate office work routines, politics, and rules they usually carve for networking, work-life balance, and workplace flexibility. Remote working culture only can give such freedom to schedule and organize the workplace as they want. 

3.Creative thinking and trendsetter: Because the younger generation has grown up with technology, they can think creatively and out-of-the-box solutions to problems. Gen Z is the trendsetter, and they are not afraid to experiment or fail. Everything in the modern world moves at breakneck speed. With quick and creative thinking, Gen Z can solve today’s problems. 

4.Easy money making: Gig work allows young people to earn money quickly. People who can think quickly by being critical and creative are in high demand in the market. Gen Zers with in-demand skills are monetizing those skills for a side hustle and gain some experience. It enables them to work on multiple projects and earn money only when their clients are satisfied. They have total freedom to choose clients to whom they want to work with and form the best relationships.

5.Exposure to the field: Employees in traditional jobs do not have the opportunity to work in other domains. But with gig work, an individual can provide services in every different sector globally, which will help the individual grow their skills. No doubt, the young people know more and are engaged more than other generation therefore, the demand for Gen Z are more in the gig market.

As technology advances, younger generations are learning in-demand skills proactively to build their career. Young professionals are prepared for the future world of work.