Gen Z employees have some work ahead to earn the trust of their bosses.

A recent survey by Intelligent.com found that about one in six companies are hesitant to hire recent college graduates, citing concerns over their preparedness, communication skills, and professionalism.

A stunning six in 10 said they had fired college grads they hired in 2024.

Some hiring managers and business leaders believe Gen Z employees often lack the motivation, charisma and soft skills necessary to thrive in a professional environment, the survey found. 75% of companies report that some or all of the recent college graduates they hired this year were “unsatisfactory.”

“Many recent college graduates may struggle with entering the workforce for the first time as it can be a huge contrast from what they are used to throughout their education journey,” said Intelligent’s Chief Education and Career Development Advisor, Huy Nguyen. “They are often unprepared for a less structured environment, workplace cultural dynamics, and the expectation of autonomous work.”

Nearly 20% of hiring managers said new workers often arrive late to work and fail to meet assignment deadlines​.

One in seven said they may refrain from hiring recent college grads next year.

“Although they may have some theoretical knowledge from college, they often lack the practical, real-world experience and soft skills required to succeed in the work environment. These factors, combined with the expectations of seasoned workers, can create challenges for both recent grads and the companies they work for,” said Nguyen.

Nearly 1000 business leaders participated in the survey, which was conducted in August.

Nguyen says managers need to adapt their approach to recruiting since Gen Z is set to make up around 30% of the workforce by 2025​.

He said interviewers should focus on a candidate’s potential and problem-solving skills rather than just their experience and encourages them to ask about educational projects and situations that reflect real-world workplace challenges.

“It can be easy for managers to buy into typical stereotypes of Gen Z and dismiss them entirely; however, companies have an equal responsibility to prepare recent graduates for their particular workplace and give them the best chance to succeed,” said Nguyen. “By understanding the challenges of Gen Z workers, companies can take a more proactive approach by implementing formal employee onboarding programs that clearly outline company culture and expectations.”