Gen Z Will Outgrow Your Company Fast | Preeti Bahuguna - Senior HR Director at The First Group

Gen Z aren’t “difficult”. They’re just done accepting what previous generations tolerated. In this week’s episode of Out of Office, Preeti Bahuguna, Senior HR Director at The First Group, challenges the way organisations are thinking about the next generation of talent. From mental health and setting boundaries to employer branding and why culture is now a deal breaker, this is a conversation both leaders and candidates needs to hear. Preeti shares what she’s seeing first hand in the Middle East job market and why Gen Z won’t wait years to feel respected or valued, but demand it from day one. And if your workplace doesn’t align with their values, they will not hesitate to leave. Mark and Preeti chat about: ↳ Why mental health at work is not a buzzword ↳ What Gen Z actually expects from employers ↳ Why culture fit now outweighs pure technical experience ↳ How employer branding on LinkedIn directly impacts hiring ↳ The role of AI and ATS in modern day recruitment ↳ Why companies must meet Gen Z halfway, not dismiss them This isn’t a conversation about “kids these days”. It’s about a workforce shift that is already happening. Catch the must listen episode now! Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Middle East Hiring Paradox - Vibrant Yet Competitive 00:01:33 The Diversity Revolution: From Tick-Box to Real Value 00:02:27 AI in Recruitment: Augmented Intelligence Over Automation 00:04:51 Emiratisation and Cultural Constraints: Talking to Parents About Hotel Jobs 00:08:03 The Biggest Recruitment Challenges: Competition, Culture, and Gen Z 00:10:02 What Makes Good Talent Today: Easy to Work With Over Perfect Skills 00:11:22 Employer Branding That Works: The Karaoke Night That Got a Hire 00:13:18 I Was Gen Z Before Gen Z Existed: Mental Health, Tech, and No Power Distance 00:14:28 The Gen Z Reality: Purpose, Boundaries, and Holding Hands 00:16:27 Meeting in the Middle: Educating Stakeholders and Setting Realistic Expectations 00:18:12 ATS Systems and Candidate Experience: Rejections, Timelines, and Human Review 00:19:51 Closing: Hire for What's Missing, Not What's Been Done Before Listen on: Spotify: Apple:  Connect with Preeti:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/preeti-bahuguna-23350914/ Follow Our Host: Mark Timms: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktimmsgrg/