Unlike previous generations, Gen Z isn’t just looking for a paycheck; they want employers that align with their personal values.

Deloitte’s Understanding Generation Z in the Workplace report reinforces this shift, with nearly 77% of Gen Z respondents planning on “working at organizations whose values align with their own.” This is a change from Millenials, Boomers, and Gen X. Gen Z cares about the company they work for meeting certain standards of ethics. They care about growth opportunities, diversity in the workplace, and authentic connections.

But how do you recruit Gen Z tech talent in a way that capitalizes on the authenticity they crave from organizations? The answer lies in community recruitment.

What is Community Recruitment?

Community recruitment means building relationships with specific communities and often includes brand-building events, webinars, and other points of connection between the recruiter/company and talent. At the heart of it, community recruitment is all about building connections and trust, which sets your organization apart in the minds of Gen Z talent. With 50% of Gen Zs rejecting assignments that clash with their ethics and 44% turning down employers who don’t align with their values, creating meaningful, authentic relationships is critical.

Through community-based recruitment, you gain access to:

  • An aggregated set of candidates who fit your recruitment requirements.
  • An employer-branding opportunity to highlight your commitment to social impact.
  • Opportunities to engage with talent in person and remotely throughout the year, not just on campus or at expensive conferences.
group of rtc women holding reddit sign

Community Event at Reddit with Rewriting the Code

Why Community Recruitment Works

According to LinkedIn’s Future of Recruiting report, more than a quarter of the global workforce will be Gen Z by 2025.  

Companies who invest in understanding this generation now will succeed in an ever-competitive tech recruiting landscape. By taking a community recruitment approach, a company gets to the center of what matters most to Gen Z: authentic connection. They don’t want a transactional approach; they want meaningful interactions to understand what your company is truly about. 

While companies like Meta, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google (MAANG) often attract talent with competitive compensation, smaller or lesser-known organizations can stand out by showcasing their workplace culture and mission through community recruitment. This approach expands career options for young professionals, helping them discover industries and companies they may not have considered before.

By attending the Rewriting the Code last year’s career summit, I had the chance to connect with numerous companies and recruiters. This networking opportunity can be highly beneficial for women in tech, as it helps expand professional networks, establish relationships, and potentially lead to internships, job offers, or mentorship connections. I’m also participating in Summer Hub activities in Silicon Valley alongside other interns. This experience exposed me to the vibrant tech ecosystem in Silicon Valley, giving me firsthand exposure to industry-leading companies, emerging technologies, and innovative work environments.
Success can be reflected in the continuous growth and advancement within the tech career and also expertise and contributions in the tech field. I also think the ability to empower and support other women in tech is another important factor. By serving as a mentor, providing guidance, and actively contributing to the growth and representation of women in the industry, I can make a lasting impact and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse tech community.

– Yanzhu H, RTC Member

RTC & Community Recruitment

At Rewriting the Code, community-based recruitment is the heart of what we do. Companies work with us to gain access to over 38,000 talented women in tech around the world. These women consistently engage in our Slack channels, write about their experiences with companies, and celebrate the small wins in their and others’ lives every day.

In 2024, we hosted over 255 events with 8,000+ event attendees. These events included major events like:

In addition to our annual engagement opportunities, we also offer smaller, more intimate engagement options such as:

  • Regional on-campus meetups
  • Company led workshops
  • Resume review days
  • National tech conference meet-ups
  • Mentor volunteering
  • Corporate campus events

As an Emerging Talent program that is somewhat nascent, we at Netflix faced a difficult challenge going into 2024 – how do we scourge through our thousands of applications to find the most stunning eligible talent for our entry-level roles? RTC has made that a breeze. Not only does RTC directly connect the dots between our opportunities and their expansive network, they personalize your experience with the members to ensure both parties are connected in non-transactional ways. Through RTC, we’ve hosted specialized dinners, panels, and workshops and have found direct hires from these engagements! We’ve been so privileged to partner with RTC and we look to continue working with this incredible organization and the STUNNING talent that it attracts!

– Joshua Gutierrez, Program Manager, Netflix

Partner with Rewriting the Code to authentically connect with the next generation of women in tech.

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