6 Entry-Level Jobs Boomers & Gen X Loved That Gen Z Refuses To Apply For
Pressmaster | Shutterstock Gen Z doesn't believe in climbing the corporate ladder in the way older generations did. That means many of the entry-level jobs boomers and Gen Xers would have been happy to land aren't even worthy of an application to many young people.
The job market itself isn't helping either. Entry-level jobs have declined by 35% since 2023. Gen Z also has a bad rap with older employers, making them less desirable hires. Part of this reason is that Gen Z can be a bit picky and doesn’t want to apply for the same jobs their parents and grandparents did without complaining.
Entry-level jobs boomers & Gen X were happy to start their careers in that Gen Z refuses to even apply for:
1. Administrative assistants
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It used to be a great jumping-off point for young adults to work as an administrative assistant. They would answer phones, type memos, manage schedules, and basically get a feel for the company as a whole. This career path was particularly popular with women. According to CNN, in 2013, the most popular job for women was secretarial work. The reason for this? It doesn’t require a college degree, and it allows companies to pay women less than men.
That being said, there has been an increase in the number of young women attending college in America, with 58% of college students being women. As a result, the number of women in secretarial roles is declining, and more and more Gen Z women are refusing to apply for those jobs.
2. Bank teller
A very popular entry-level job for older generations was a bank teller. It was a great stepping stone toward a career in banking or finance, but hardly anyone uses banks in the traditional sense any longer.
In fact, most people do all their banking online now, and only hit the actual bank when there's a problem. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, bank teller employment is expected to decline by 13% from 2024 to 2034. As a result, Gen Z refuses to apply for bank teller jobs because they don’t know what the future of the job will even be.
3. Retail sales associate
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I can’t lie, this was my first job. I worked at a clothing store at the mall, and it was pretty awesome. However, these jobs are slowly starting to disappear.
Now that online shopping and second-hand shopping are becoming increasingly popular, the days of working for a clothing store are starting to decline. According to the BLS, overall employment in retail sales occupations is projected to decline by 2% over the next decade. They are also notoriously stressful, and Gen Z doesn't have the patience for face-to-face communication.
4. Data entry clerk
Back in the day, this job consisted of typing physical data entries into a computer. Needless to say, it isn’t really a job anymore, since most data is already recorded online and AI can manage it accordingly.
Plus, it required going into the office and working a typical 9-to-5, which most Gen Zers refuse to do nowadays. Gen Z places more emphasis on a healthy work-life balance, which means working hybrid and flexible hours if possible.
5. Mailroom clerk
The number of mailroom clerks is decreasing. In fact, most business communication is done paperless nowadays.
There are new machines to sort and organize the little mail that does come in. As a result, young people are no longer applying for these jobs because they don't really even exist anymore. What was once a foot in the door has been replaced by technology.
6. Customer service representative
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Gen Z doesn’t like customer service. Well, they don't like talking on the phone, so, kind of the same thing. They find it unnecessary.
The flip side of this, however, is that many employers are looking for people to fill customer service roles, and they don’t trust Gen Z. According to a ResumeTemplates survey, 91% of employers are concerned about the work ethic of their Gen Z employees. They are specifically concerned about Gen Z’s “unprofessional tone (41%), poor attention to detail (40%), unwillingness to go above and beyond (39%), and lack of enthusiasm (38%). Other issues involve "misunderstandings due to a casual communication style (35%)," something that would not translate well in a customer service role.
Sophie Bagheri is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and theatre who covers lifestyle topics.
