{"id":997,"date":"2026-06-08T20:43:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:43:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crosscountrymovingteams.com\/?p=997"},"modified":"2026-06-08T20:43:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:43:54","slug":"gen-z-might-be-the-flakiest-generation-when-it-comes-to-career-and-life-decisions-they-might-also-be-the-most-intentional","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crosscountrymovingteams.com\/?p=997","title":{"rendered":"Gen Z might be the flakiest generation when it comes to career and life decisions. They might also be the most intentional"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>Shaped by uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and a volatile housing market, Gen Z appears to be taking the slow-and-steady route in life. But Gen Z\u2019s predisposition toward moderation might not be the mark of a slacker generation: It might be the calling card of a more discerning one.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/crosscountrymovingteams.com\/?p=995\">The global airline industry\u2019s profits could be cut in half as it braces for its worst year since the pandemic<\/a><\/p>\n<p>When asked what their ideal career path might look like, 44% of Gen Z respondents say they\u2019d prefer steady progress, compared with just 25% who seek out fast-paced promotions and title upgrades, according to a survey of 22,500 young people in 44 countries published by Deloitte on Monday. Only 6% of Gen Z and millennial respondents said achieving a leadership position was a top priority in their career, with many citing fear of stress, burnout, and how it would harm work-life balance.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>But a look at what Gen Zers are doing with their time suggests cautious movement is more than a signal of low ambition. Many are developing skills such as public speaking or AI fluency, while around 10% are even willing to move laterally or take a step down in title to gain more experience before the next step, according to Deloitte.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And for all their caution toward management opportunities and promotions at work, the Deloitte survey implies Gen Z still does intend to take the step at a later date: 76% say they would want to pursue an executive leadership role at some point in their careers.<\/p>\n<p>The fact that Gen Z is spending more time investing in their skills and professional growth isn\u2019t surprising given that the jobs market has grown increasingly hostile to entry-level workers, who face the threat of a sudden, AI-driven recalibration of work demands.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the luxury showcase often displayed on influencer accounts, the majority of Gen Z is living cautiously. They are more likely to wait longer on big financial decisions such as buying a house, starting a family, or even owning a car than older generations did.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>But Gen Zers seem to make their life choices primarily with deliberation in mind. Recent surveys suggest younger shoppers are more careful with their online spending, often leaving their items parked in virtual carts days longer than older shoppers do before making a purchase decision.<\/p>\n<p>A recency bias is at least partly to blame. Young people are more likely to spend less\u2014regardless of what generation they are a part of. Even Gen Xers and older millennials were  when they were in their 20s. And bosses have been chiding younger workers for their behavior and ambitions long before Zoomers entered the workplace chat.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/crosscountrymovingteams.com\/?p=993\">The 4 Best Calcium Supplements of 2026: Approved by Our Experts<\/a><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>But Gen Z might be growing through these same life stages with more intentionality than their elders. Nearly all Gen Zers (96%) surveyed by Deloitte said they prioritized feeling a sense of purpose in their job, with nearly half saying they had rejected assignments or even employers because of mismatched values.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Apprehension toward the future might also be driving some of Gen Z\u2019s decision-making. Nearly a third of respondents said they maintained a side-hustle, with the top driver being financial need. Around one in five respondents said their employers were making fewer entry-level hires, and replacing entry-level roles with internships. AI fluency is also one of the most highly sought-after skills for young workers, targeted by 37% of Gen Zers, and nearly three-quarters of respondents said they already use AI in their daily work.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cAdaptability is now a core career capability, one that enables [Gen Z] to remain relevant and resilient amid constant change,\u201d the report\u2019s authors wrote.<\/p>\n<p>The current labor market\u2019s direction is anyone\u2019s guess, so versatility might be an asset for young workers. A growing number in the U.S. are turning to jobs in the trades, entrepreneurship, or freelancing\u2014often simultaneously with full-time jobs or other side-gigs\u2014to make ends meet and to build a more durable career ladder.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But despite many in the cohort striking out on their own, Gen Z exhibits lower financial literacy than older generations. Locked out of homebuying, Gen Z is also investing in the stock market earlier than other generations did, but many are basing decisions on  and FOMO (fear of missing out) rather than more certified picks. <\/p>\n<p>Young people are navigating the labor market\u2019s rough hand with caution, but in some areas, Gen Z might still have some growing up to do.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/crosscountrymovingteams.com\/?p=987\">In this AI-driven world, Todd Boehly has spotted the best test for leadership. Someone who is willing to say \u201cI don\u2019t know\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A new Deloitte survey found Gen Z is prioritizing skill-building, purpose, and slow-and-steady progress over fast promotions and leadership titles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gen-z"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Gen Z might be the flakiest generation when it comes to career and life decisions. 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