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Gen Z came of age in an environment that previous generations couldnt have imagined when we entered the workforce. Theyve never known the world without the internet or cellphones. Their education and early career paths were disrupted by a global pandemic that kept them at home, learning and working over a screen. Theyve been learning digital skills their entire lives. Its no wonder that their perspective on work is different than oursand its time for us to pay attention. With the aging U.S. workforce, we need to attract and retain Gen Z talent for our companies to thriveand this means a focus on skills-first hiring. Gen Z wants employers to value the skills they bring, not whether they have a college degree. This makes sense, given the impacts of the pandemic on many college careers and the rising costs of higher education. They also want employers to invest in their growth through mentorship, training, and upskilling programs to keep pace in a rapidly changing world. Whether through hands-on projects, portfolio work, or certifications, Gen Z wants clear pathways to prove themselves. And it is on us to find a new way of hiring that benefits us all. Change the way you think about qualifications Moving to a skills-first hiring model requires a major cultural shift, but one that unlocks productivity, creativity, and innovation. Indeeds research shows hiring managers who embrace this approach find it twice as easy to find qualified candidates. With 52% of U.S. job postings now dropping formal education requirements, the shift is already underway. By removing these barriers that screen out over 70 million skilled workers, companies can tap into a vastly larger talent pool. And I can tell you firsthand, it works. Young workers today are unapologetically rejecting the system that once held people like me back. I started my career during the 1990s dot-com boom and landed a well-paying job in operations without a college degree. When the bubble burst, I found myself shut out of the job marketnot because I lacked skills or experience, but because my résumé did not check the “college graduate” box. I went from making $90,000 a year to $11.75 an hour, forcing me to rebuild my career. That experience shaped my belief in hiring for skills and potential, not academic credentials. Degree requirements continue to serve as a gatekeeper, even though more than 62% of U.S. adults dont have one, excluding highly qualified candidates from even being considered. Remember: For a multitude of reasons, not everyone has the ability to go to college. Talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Strict education requirements for new hires created a workforce that is less innovative, inclusive, and responsive to change. This slows down a companys ability to adapt to an evolving economy. If you want to keep Gen Z, you have to invest in their skills. They expect opportunities to learn, evolve, and move upand if they dont see a clear path forward, they wont stick around. Redesign job descriptions to focus on skills, not degreesRemove degree requirements where possible and instead list essential skills and competencies. For example, if youre hiring a social media manager, why require a marketing degree when there are Gen Z creators who have built viral brands from scratch? Evaluate candidates based on real-world expertise. Build career progression paths that value ability over tenureCareer progression should depend on ability, not tenure. Gen Z employees are motivated by growth opportunities and expect clear, merit-based career paths. Too often, companies prioritize years of experience over proven contributions, which can stall promising talent and push Gen Z workers to seek opportunities elsewhere. Instead, organizations should create structured yet flexible advancement paths that recognize impact and leadership potential early. Create assessment methods that effectively evaluate soft & hard skillsRésumés often fail to capture a candidates true capabilities, which is particularly relevant for Gen Z. This generation has developed many skills through nontraditional pathways like self-directed learning, online certifications, and gig work. Consider implementing practical skills assessments, portfolio reviews, and behavioral interviews to evaluate problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability. Real-world skills assessments ensure hiring decisions are based on actual competencies, making it easier to identify high-potential Gen Z candidates who may not fit traditional hiring molds. Hire for the future, not the past Gen Z expects a smarter, fairer approach to hiringone that values what they bring to the table. Companies that get this will thrive. Those that dont? Theyll watch top talent walk away. Focusing on skills over degrees and clear career progression paths creates more engaged employees, better cultures, and stronger business outcomes. When I first lost my job, I had the skills to help any company grow and thrivebut I wasnt given the chance. Now, I am in a place where I can give that chance to others, and I do not take it lightly. We can build a future where talent speaks louder than degrees. My final thoughts? Embrace a skills-first, inclusive approach or risk losing the next generation of top talent. Its not a trend. Its the future.
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E-Commerce
The price of used Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y vehicles depreciated more than any other cars in 2024, according to a Fast Company analysis of CarGurus data. The average price of a Model Y for sale on the platform dropped by 25.5% between January of 2024 and January 2025, and the price of the Model 3 dropped by 25%. In that same time frame, the average price of a Nissan Maxima only dropped by 5.2% and a Ford Mustang by 5%. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r
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E-Commerce
Fast Company is heading to Austin, Texas March 810 for its 12th annual Fast Company Grill during South by Southwest. Hosted at the Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill in downtown Austin, attendees can expect three days packed with engaging programming, networking opportunities, activations and raffles, delicious food and drinks, live musical performances, and exclusive parties. As usual, we’re bringing you a dynamic roster of speakers, including: Paul Feig, Founder, FeigCo; and Director and Producer, Another Simple Favor Carey Mulligan, Executive Producer, Actress, The Ballad of Wallis Island Tarana Burke, Author, Activist, Founder of the “Me Too” Movement Carla Vernón, CEO, The Honest Company Joon Choi, President, Weverse Daryl Lee, Global CEO, McCann Matthew Prince, Cofounder and CEO, Cloudflare Julie Haddon, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Andy Dunn, Founder and CEO, Pie Ev Williams, Cofounder, Mozi James Kuczynski, Senior Creative Director, Duolingo Fara Howard, CMO, GoDaddy Those speakers will lend their insights to a number of pressing topics including: How Business Leaders Are Navigating the Trump Administration Reconnect with Connection: Building Better Communities IRL The Business of Belonging: Tapping Into the Power of Fandom Inside the Fight for Your Digital Freedom Redefining the Next Generation’s Relationship to Tech The Pivot Playbook: How These CEOs Turned Their Companies Around Built to Boom: Secrets of Fast-Growing Companies Fair Play: Making Womens Sports a Lasting Powerhouse More than a Moment: The Future of the Me Too Movement And it wouldn’t be the Fast Company Grill without live musical performances. Taking the stage this year will be Paravi, who was featured on the Grammy-nominated soundtrack of Elvis; and up-and-coming talent (and part-time rodeo cowboy) Garrett Talamantes. If you’re not yet a Fast Company Premium subscriber, now would be a great time to join! We have special offerings at the Fast Company Grill for our premium subscribers, including an exclusive after-party at Tecovas. The Western apparel brand is hosting a night of live music from country artist David Miner, signature drinks, a special discount on Tecovas items, and customized iron brandingincluding a Fast Company logo! Spots are limited, so be sure to register today. For a full lineup of speakers, sessions, and activities, visit our events page. A special thanks to Fast Company Grill’s presenting sponsor Canva, as well as our other sponsors Audible, Texas A&M University, Lumen, Williams, Purdue University, Huge, National Cryptocurrency Association, Novo Nordisk, PMI, Violife, Whalar Group, and Wise.
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E-Commerce
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