Gen Zers, Millennials, and Gen Xers all share the exact same top three priorities, and in the exact same order. Only Baby Boomers buck the trend: Impact is actually their second-highest priority, followed by flexibility in third place and work-life balance in fourth.
At first glance, this chart seems to follow the same pattern we saw in the last section: Younger workers generally care about these top priorities more than older workers. But while the priorities in our previous section consistently peaked with Gen Z and gradually decreased with each generation, the top priorities here actually all peak with Millennials.
Perhaps that’s because they’re facing greater pressure overall in regards to their finances, personal time, and physical presence. More than other generations, Millennials may be pursuing home-ownership, raising young children, or caring for aging parents, often all at the same time.
If that trend holds true over the next several years, one might expect these three priorities to gradually become more important to Gen Z and less important to Gen X. Of course, as we just saw, it’s best not to rely on assumptions — so we’ll keep a close eye on the data and continue to let you know what it means for you.
Final thoughts
For talent professionals hoping to hire or retain any particular generation, it’s crucial to understand that generational stereotypes often fall apart under close scrutiny. Instead, data-driven insights reveal a more nuanced picture.
Recognizing the unique priorities of each generation — from Baby Boomers’ emphasis on personal values to Gen Z’s focus on career advancement and skill development — can help shape more effective and targeted recruitment and talent strategies.
Ultimately, it’s about acknowledging and respecting individuals’ priorities. Just as generations are more nuanced than conventional wisdom gives them credit for, so too are individuals infinitely more nuanced than any generalization — even those that are data-driven.
Methodology
In the LinkedIn Talent Drivers survey, members are asked to select up to five of the most important factors for them when they consider a new job, out of a list of 15 different factors. This analysis is based on over 14,000 survey responses in February 2024 from around the world, including over 2,600 Gen Z respondents, over 5,800 Millennial respondents, over 4,200 Gen X respondents, and over 1,100 Baby Boomer respondents.
