Phone calls have become a thing of the past, this is how generation Z lives. Born in a digital world, their way of communicating seems to be changing.
What was once normal, such as phone calls, now seems to have become obsolete compared to other forms of communication such as text messages, emails or messaging applications.
This change in young people’s preferences is generating tensions in the workplace, especially during selection processes. This happens because recruiters face an unexpected problem, that new applicants do not answer the phone.
Fear of the phone: a real obstacle
Several recent studies have shown that fear of phone calls among young people is becoming a real problem in the job search. In fact, there are many who have a function activated that makes it appear that if you call them, they are communicating.
Generation Z’s aversion to phone calls doesn’t come out of nowhere. According to a study carried out by Uswitchabout 70% of people between the ages of 18 and 34 prefer a text message over a call. Furthermore, a quarter admit that they never answer the phone, opting to look up the number on the internet or respond later in writing.
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This trend can be explained by the saturation of spam calls, fear of interactions without context or simply greater comfort in communication.
At a time where especially generation Z is entering the job market, the debate has been opened in Xbecause, how are they going to contact candidates from a company if they do not want to answer the phone?
Users like Stephano, a recruiter from Mexico, have shared their frustration on their X profile: “I call the numbers they put on the CVs they sent to apply for an internship vacancy and no one answers.“.
However, he himself acknowledges that by contacting the candidates via WhatsApp, he finally got a response, although he stopped trying with other candidates because he was too lazy with the process.
One person responded: “You should never call without first agreeing by email”. Other people remember that if the phone number has been given for that job search, then you have to keep an eye on your cell phone and answer the calls.
This phenomenon also reflects a disconnection between generations. For recruiters, phone calls are a direct and efficient tool. For young people, however, they represent an invasion of personal space or an obsolete method. Furthermore, many companies have not adapted their selection processes to the digital habits of new times.
Some experts point out that the solution is not to force young people to adapt, but to find a balance. A prior message agreeing to a call could be more effective than insisting on a method that, for them, creates discomfort. This not only increases the chances of contact, but also demonstrates empathy towards the candidates.
As a result of this dilemma, experts have begun to emerge who advise how to respond to phone calls, that is the case of Mary Jane Copps, communication specialist. For her, many young people experience anxiety when talking on the phone. The lack of body language and the fear of not knowing what to say are very common barriers.
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Tags: mobile devices