The Generation Z has often been hailed for their upfront and no-nonsense attitude towards all things in life.
However, not everyone shares the same opinion. Recently, one such Gen Z job applicant’s behaviour came under the scanner by an entrepreneur named Mahima Jalan, who questioned the person’s work ethic and attitude towards the interview.
‘Gen Z’s lack work ethic’
Jalan took to X to share how the applicant was oblivious to the job they had applied for and how he asked her about her own company. “Today I interviewed someone who asked, ‘What’s your company called and what do you do?’ For a moment, I was taken aback,” Jalan wrote.
“The job description, hiring message, and emails were already shared. Not knowing basic details is poor work etiquette. Being young isn’t an excuse,” she added.
Gen Z has a different way of working.
— Mahima Jalan ماهيما جالان (@MahimaJalan2) January 23, 2026
Today I interviewed someone who asked, “What’s your company called and what do you do?”
For a moment, I was taken aback.
The job description, hiring message, and emails were already shared. Not knowing basic details is poor work etiquette.… https://t.co/ovHQwBxYkZ
‘This was a major career decision’
Jalan also shared how she has always done her due research before any meeting with a potential client, something she found lacking in this applicant’s approach towards his interview.
“I’ve run my agency for years. Even for a 15-minute call, I research the client. This was a job interview. A career decision. Serious businesses don’t run on vibes. They run on ownership and preparation,” she wrote.
Was the applicant finally hired?
Responding to an X user’s query on whether the applicant was ultimately hired for the job, Jalan clarified that he wasn’t.
“He was average at his work too,” she wrote.
Another X user commented on Jalan’s post, saying “Preparation is basic hygiene, but this sounds like interview fatigue. High-volume applicants often treat calls as discovery sessions rather than career moves. If they haven’t googled you.”
Are Gen Z’s good employees?
Studies and surveys indicate that Generation Z brings strengths such as strong digital fluency, intrinsic motivation for meaningful work, and a desire for collaboration and growth when they feel valued and supported by leadership.
Research has found that Gen Z workers are highly motivated by recognition, meaningful tasks, and workplace well‑being, which can drive engagement and creativity when employers align roles with their values and provide opportunities for development, MDPI reported.
At the same time, some workplace surveys reveal challenges employers often associate with this cohort. A number of managers report that young workers can lack experience with traditional workplace norms, require more frequent feedback, and may struggle with professional communication or task follow‑through without clear guidance, according to Forbes.