Gen Z is making its mark on the workforce and redefining what companies need to deliver from day one. For this generation, outdated onboarding experiences are a hassle and can be a deal-breaker. SoftwareFinder.com surveyed over 500 Gen Z workers hired within the past two years to understand their expectations, frustrations, and what keeps them engaged (or makes them quit). The findings highlight key gaps in how companies onboard new employees and how to fix them.
- Nearly 1 in 5 Gen Z workers ghosted a job due to disappointing or outdated onboarding.
- 32% of Gen Z workers said the ideal onboarding length is one full workweek (5 days), more than any other timeframe.
- Over 1 in 5 Gen Z workers (22%) considered quitting early because of poor onboarding. 8% said they actually quit within the first 3 months because of it.
- Only 51% of Gen Z workers felt comfortable asking cultural or ethical questions during onboarding.
- 77% of Gen Z workers have Googled how to do something that onboarding didn't cover, and 35% said they used ChatGPT.
- Nearly 1 in 5 Gen Z workers ghosted a job due to disappointing or outdated onboarding, with 11% ghosting a job within a day or two of receiving the onboarding material because it felt outdated or disappointing.
- Over 1 in 5 Gen Z workers considered quitting early because of poor onboarding, and 8% said they actually quit within the first 3 months because of it. Remote workers (26%) were the most likely to say they considered quitting early because of their onboarding experience.
- More than 1 in 4 Gen Z workers (27%) said their onboarding process made them feel less excited about the company. In-office workers (31%) were the most likely to say so.
- 32% of Gen Z workers said the ideal onboarding length is one full workweek (5 days), more than any other timeframe.
- Only 51% of Gen Z workers felt comfortable asking cultural or ethical questions during onboarding.
- Remote workers (21%) were the most likely to have felt uncomfortable asking cultural or ethical questions during onboarding.
- Only 34% of Gen Z workers said their company offered early access to peer mentorship during onboarding, yet 79% who saw mentorship would be available said it made them feel more positively about the company.
- 90% of Gen Z workers want salary to be addressed on day one, followed by remote/hybrid policies (74%) and the path to promotions (66%).
- 77% of Gen Z workers have Googled how to do something that onboarding didn't cover, and 35% said they used ChatGPT.
- 75% of Gen Z employees admit to skipping or fast-forwarding onboarding content because it felt boring or too long.
- 63% of Gen Z said onboarding videos longer than 15 minutes are too long, with 35% saying anything over 30 minutes is a deal-breaker.
Methodology
We surveyed 508 Gen Z workers hired within the past 2 years to explore how onboarding shapes their early experiences. Work setup breakdown of respondents was as follows:
- Fully in-office: 52%
- Fully remote: 18%
- Hybrid: 30%
Data was collected in July 2025.
About SoftwareFinder.com
SoftwareFinder.com connects businesses with the right software tools to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and support remote and hybrid teams. Whether you're onboarding new hires or upgrading your tech stack, we help companies find solutions that match their needs and scale with their growth.
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