Examining the priorities and approaches guiding Gen Z as they navigate a 2025 workforce in flux.

Gen Z entered the workforce during unprecedented disruption, with AI, changing career expectations, and the rise of social media transforming how they approach work. Zety®, a resume templates service, released the Gen Z’s Way of Work Report, highlighting how these young professionals are redefining career security, networking, and skill-building in a rapidly changing job market.

AI and the Search for Career Stability
AI has affected how Gen Z thinks about career longevity and opportunity. Many are actively rerouting their careers by switching industries, upskilling, and turning to trade work, solidifying their name as the ‘Reroute Generation.’ Key findings from Zety’s Gen Z Reroute Report reveal: 

• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Gen Z say a college degree won’t protect them from AI-related job loss.

• Over half (53%) are seriously considering blue-collar or skilled trade roles, viewing this field as the most AI-proof.

• 53% say social media influencers (e.g., TradeTok) impact their views on trade work.

• 43% have already changed or adjusted their career plans because of AI.

• 40% are teaching themselves new skills or earning certifications.

Gen Z’s Way of Work: This generation of workers is seeking stability in roles they believe are less vulnerable to automation while exploring opportunities that offer autonomy, creativity, or direct human impact.

Digital Platforms Driving Career Decisions
Social media has become a primary tool for exploring jobs, networking, and evaluating potential employers. According to Zety’s Gen Z Career Trends Report, Gen Z is increasingly relying on these platforms to shape career decisions:

• 46% of Gen Zers have secured a job or internship through TikTok and 92% trust the platform for career advice.

• 76% rely on Instagram for career content, more than twice the number using LinkedIn (34%).

• 95% consider a company’s social media presence when deciding to apply.

Gen Z’s Way of Work: Young professionals prioritize accessible, authentic, and visually engaging platforms over traditional channels for assessing employers and discovering opportunities.

Personal Branding and the Influence of Career Creators
The Gen Z & Career Trends Report also found that managing an online presence has become an essential strategy. Gen Z is particularly mindful of their digital footprint and follows career influencers to navigate the job market:

• 78% believe employers review candidates’ social media profiles during evaluation.

• Although 48% strongly agree that social media can create unrealistic expectations about career growth or success, 75% say they follow multiple career-focused influencers.

• The majority (84%) follow career influencers aged 26–39.

Gen Z’s Way of Work: A polished and intentional social media presence is now a core component of Gen Z’s career strategy, influencing how they pursue opportunities, engage with employers, and measure professional success.

“Social media has become today’s career classroom,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at Zety. “It’s where young workers are learning, networking, and finding opportunities—but also where they’re developing a sharper sense of what kind of work aligns with their values.”

For detailed insights on Gen Z’s Way of Work Report, access the full study at https://zety.com/blog/genz-way-of-work or contact Skyler Acevedo, at skyler.acevedo@bold.com.

Methodology

The findings presented are compiled from two Zety reports conducted throughout 2025, surveying between 896 and 1,000 Gen Z employees in the U.S. Respondents answered different types of questions about their career development amid the rise of AI and social media, including yes/no, scale-based questions where they indicated their level of agreement with statements, and multiple-choice where they could select from a list of provided options.

About Zety

Zety resume templates and Zety's resume and cover letter generator are trusted by 12 million users each year. With 100s of options to choose from, including professionally designed resume templates to beat the ATS, users can create a professional resume in less than 15 minutes. Since 2016, Zety’s career blog has provided free data-driven insights to over 40 million readers annually, empowering professionals at every stage. The editorial team includes Certified Professional Resume Writers, with the best career advice and evidence-based findings featured in Business Insider, CNBC and Forbes, among others. Follow Zety on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or Instagram or free expert career tips and updates.