“Most side hustles are hobbies or passion projects,” he said. “It doesn’t mean they want a portfolio career. Gen Z is still looking for secure, full-time jobs. Employers should see side hustles as a sign of creativity and growth, not disloyalty.”
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The collapse of remote-first enthusiasm has been relatively sudden. The percentage of job candidates who want to work entirely from home dropped sharply year on year. Instead, most want two or three days in the office, seeking collaboration, mentoring and a sense of belonging.
It comes amid rampant debate about whether workers should have the right to work remotely enshrined in legislation. Victoria is mulling a legal right to work from home two days a week and all states except Western Australia have referred their laws for private sector workplaces to the federal government.
“Connection is important,” Jacobs said. “Young people don’t want five days in the office, but they absolutely want that hybrid balance.”
For many respondents, the biggest red flag in considering a new employer was “unclear opportunities for growth”. Jobseekers were also turned off by high turnover, vague job ads and poor communication during the recruitment process. Nearly three-quarters said they had been ghosted by employers.
The consultant is Tony Stark and AI is the suit. The value comes from human judgment and creativity.”
Hatch co-founder Adam Jacobs
The survey also revealed mixed feelings about artificial intelligence. Nine in ten Gen Z candidates said they were already using AI tools, from job applications to everyday work tasks. Most saw it as a way to grow faster in their careers.
But there was also a sense of unease about whether AI could erode entry-level opportunities.
Hatch head of AI and machine learning Arwen Griffioen said employers that articulated a clear AI strategy would win the war for junior talent.
“Young people want reassurance that their roles won’t disappear overnight,” she said. “They’re asking: ‘what skills can I bring that AI can’t replace?’.”
Arwen Griffioen, Hatch’s head of AI.
While the old advice was to “go learn to code”, Griffioen said future-proof skills were broader: critical thinking, problem-solving and emotional intelligence.
Jacobs likened it to an “Iron Man” analogy. “The consultant is Tony Stark and AI is the suit. The value comes from human judgment and creativity.”
One of the most striking findings of the “dream employers” list was Sydney scale-up Canva’s placing alongside Google and Amazon in the top three.
Jacobs said it reflected both the strength of Australia’s homegrown tech industry and Canva’s reputation among Gen Z workers.
“It’s pretty extraordinary,” he said. “Canva is right up there with two of the biggest brands on the planet. That’s something the local tech community should be proud of.”
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