September 10, 2025
More Than Half of Gen Z Check Employer Social Media Before Applying
How much does a company’s online reputation affect whether someone hits “apply”?
HireClix’s 2025 Candidate Experience Survey shows it carries real weight, especially for younger job seekers. More than half of Gen Z and Millennials review an employer’s social media presence before sending in an application, scanning for signs of values and culture. Reviews on sites like Glassdoor and Indeed also carry influence, affecting 57% of candidates’ decisions.
Job boards and career sites are a starting point for the majority of candidates. Indeed remains the top starting point at 56%, while LinkedIn has jumped to 52%, up from 40% in 2023. Google (41%) and company career sites (40%) are also strong contenders, with career sites gaining 42% more trust since 2023.
Phone, AI and Switching Jobs
After years of mobile-first trends, 65% of candidates now prefer desktops. Even Gen Z (75%) and Millennials (77%) choose computers over phones, suggesting a more research-heavy process. Application abandonment is also easing, dropping to 43% among Millennials from 51% in 2023.
Gen Z and Millennials are using platforms like ChatGPT to tailor resumes or analyse job descriptions, but more than half of all job seekers still avoid AI. Diversity, equity, and inclusion remain important filters, with 70% of Gen Z and 63% of Millennials weighing DEI in their decisions.
When it comes to retention, job hopping is still (kind of) a thing. Thirty-eight percent of employees say they plan to leave their current job this year, up from 27% last year. Gen Z, women, and those earning under $100,000 are most likely to quit. Those who stay cite enjoyment (78%), competitive pay (45%), and work-life balance (46%) as the biggest reasons.
