In the age of online job hiring, there are a few things that can keep Generation Z from sending in their résumé—namely if the job listing doesn’t include the salary.

Why It Matters

Gen Z is primed to make up 58 percent of the global workforce by 2030 and could have a major say in certain shifting workforce expectations.

The group, which includes workers up to 28 years old, is spearheading major changes in hiring departments as companies look to recruit top talent.

What To Know

According to a new report from EduBirdie, companies may be scaring off the younger generation since 58 percent of Gen Z-ers surveyed said they won’t apply for a job if the salary isn’t disclosed ahead of time.

In addition, 71 percent of Gen Z-ers said they believe salaries should be openly discussed in the workplace.

Since many Gen Z-ers are dealing with financial uncertainty as a result of rising living costs and student loans, there could be a greater push to make sure they’re going to be paid fairly by a company–even before the interview stage.

The report, which was based on responses from 2,000 adults aged 18 to 27, showed 58 percent of Gen Z-ers said a salary between $50,000 and $100,000 would provide financial stability.

Still, many think more is expected in today’s world, with one in four saying they’d need between $100,000 and $200,000 for a comfortable lifestyle.

This is while the youngest working generation often still has to rely on their parents to make ends meet, with 41 percent of Gen Z saying they still depend on their family for money.

What People Are Saying

Avery Morgan, chief human resources officer at EduBirdie, said in a statement: “Despite many still relying on their parents, this generation is undeniably ambitious. Our report shows they’re not counting on a golden parachute like marrying into wealth or inheritance. Instead, 17 percent believe they’ll earn $200,000 by age 30—a bold goal that demands strategic career moves, continuous learning, and a bit of luck.”

Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “Research keeps communicating to us Gen Z associates their personal and professional happiness more with the money they earn that past generations have. For many of them, work isn’t about fulfillment, but rather a way to earn income that provides for products and experiences that fulfill them.”

He added: “Employers that don’t share salary ranges in job listings don’t always do it for nefarious reasons, with many not providing information due to internal concerns on how other staff may see the pay compared to their own or comparisons to similar jobs at other employers. However, with Gen Z becoming a larger part of the workforce, it may be time for those employers to reconsider their choice. More importantly, it may not just be Gen Z in the years to come, as more employees across generations are desiring to have a better picture of pay because of current inflationary pressures.”

Human resources (HR) consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: “Gen Z has watched previous generations get strung along with vague promises and being told to be grateful to even have a job. When the job’s expectations far exceed the pay, candidates want to and deserve to know upfront. The workforce has changed, and companies that refuse to adapt are setting themselves up to lose out on an entire generation of talent.”

What Happens Next?

Employers who gatekeep salary information will likely see fewer applicants moving forward, Driscoll said.

“The irony is that companies claim they want the best talent, yet many still expect candidates to blindly apply without knowing if the pay is even livable, let alone aligned with industry standards and job requirements,” he added. “And to be clear, this isn’t a Gen Z problem—this is simply bad business strategy.”