Handshake Network Trends

About

Handshake Network Trends presents college-to-career insights from the largest network of students, universities, and recruiters. This data is a snapshot from our most recent report: Gender, Equity, and Gen Z.

Download the full report

Gender, Equity, and Gen Z

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Gender, Equity, and Gen Z, the most recent Handshake Network Trends report, covers the growing gender gap in the workforce, the perception of diversity among early job-seekers, and how salary is the great equalizer among Gen Z talent.

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Report Summary

As women drop out of the workforce in unprecedented numbers during the pandemic, the ripple effect among young women may pose longstanding challenges as employers seek to build a diverse workforce. Will watching women leaders leave discourage college students and young professionals from applying?

This report examines the factors that compel Gen Z to apply for jobs, equipping employers to build diverse talent pipelines amidst a rapidly evolving job market.

Download the full report

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Diversity Matters

Women and non-binary individuals are almost twice more likely than men to say that seeing women in leadership roles makes them likely to apply to a job:

Bar chart showing percentage of gender groups saying that seeing women in leadership roles makes them more likely to apply to a job. 65% of women, 34% of men and 66% of non-binary respondents stated that this made them more likely to apply.

...while twice as many men as women say they don’t look for gender diversity when applying for a job:

Image showing percentage of men and women saying they don’t look for gender diversity when applying for a job. 31% of men and 16% of women stated that they don’t look for gender diversity when applying for a job.

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Gen Z is Sizing Up Your Diversity Record

53% of respondents agree or strongly agree that they would not apply to a job or internship where they find an employer lacks diversity.

Pie chart showing the percent of respondents agreeing, disagreeing, or remaining neutral on whether they would not apply to a job or internship where they find an employer lacks diversity. 53% agreed that they would not apply to a job or internship where the employer lacked diversity, while 17% disagreed and 30% remained neutral.

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We know that for Gen Z, good intentions are not enough. They want proof that prospective employers’ practices align with their values.

Lindsey Pollak, New York Times best-selling author.

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Salary Transparency as Motivator

Students overwhelmingly chose "salary ranges in job postings" as the greatest motivator for applying to a position.

Bar chart showing percentage of gender groups stating that salary was the most important factor when choosing a job/employer. 66% of women, 65% of men and 69% of non-binary respondents stated that salary was the most important factor when choosing a job/employer.

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Get the Report

Review the full findings of our report to better support, engage, and recruit Gen Z job seekers.

Download the full report

Watch the Webinar

After you read the report, watch the webinar recording as Handshake's Christine Cruzvergara sits down with Christen Steele from Georgia Tech's College of Computing to discuss the findings and share key takeaways for both employers and colleges and universities.

View on-demand recording

Learn more

  • Attend our virtual event on 10/14 to learn how Gen Z builds connections.

    Register now

  • Watch our panel webinar on the power of virtual for achieving DEI initiatives.

    View recording

  • Watch our discussion on gender, equity, and recruiting Gen Z.

    View recording

  • Student perceptions on the value higher ed brings to their careers.

    Read more