Millennial boss says Gen Z applicants listed “Bat Girl Summer” and “Harry Styles enthusiast” as job qualifications

Recruiters are often accused of forcing young people through endless rounds of interviews and tests – but Generation Z doesn't always make it easy either.

One Millennial boss complained that “there is nothing more humiliating” than sifting through applications from the newest generation.

Amy Gastman, owner of plant-based bakery Eat by Amy in London, recently promoted the hiring of a baking assistant on TikTok.

She returned to her channel three days later and criticized the bizarre resumes and cover letters she received in response. One woman wrote in her application that she had “a brat summer.”

“What? I don't understand,” Gastman told her nearly 700,000 viewers. “What do you mean you're having a brat summer? Why did you put that on your resume? I'm so confused.”

@eatbyamy

#millenialsoftiktok #genzhumor #genzvsmillenial send help need a translator

♬ water (instrumental) – no/vox & karaokey

Another 23-year-old employment hopeful mentioned in her application that she was an “avid Harry Styles enthusiast with the superpower to get tickets to a sold-out concert” – “at face value,” no less.

Others did not use capital letters or punctuation in their letters and openly admitted that they had no baking knowledge or experience – even though it was necessary for the role. Some said goodbye with smiling or winking face emojis.

Some of Gastman's supporters didn't believe the requests were real. That's why she created two follow-up videos with screenshots of the applications in question.

https://www.tiktok.com/@eatbyamy/video/7401468459948739872?embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121433650%2C121404358%2C121351166%2C12133. 1973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_blanku0026refer=embedu0026referer_url=nypost.com%2F2024% 2F08 %2F15%2Flifestyle%2Fgen-zers-list-bizarre-skills-on-resumes-and-millennials-arent-amused%2Fu0026referer_video_id=7401468459948739872

“While I'm sure all of these people have a good vibe, that's just not what I want when you send me resumes and cover letters,” she concluded.

“I need a certain level of professionalism. We don't know each other. I’m going to use my money from my business to pay you, so you need to convince me that this is a good idea.”

Assets Asked Gastman for comment

Generation Z struggles with the unwritten rules of work

Complaining about young workers not understanding the unwritten rules of the workplace is an old story. Every generation complains about the generation below. But Generation Zers have developed new methods to test recruiters' patience. These include: refusing to take aptitude tests, submitting unrealistic lists of requirements and then failing to appear for interviews.

Once they get the job, Generation Z is accused of dressing unprofessionally and not knowing how to behave appropriately for the job. But at least they showed up. Some ghosted their new employer on their first day of work.

Bosses often behave just as badly. Some have admitted that they expect Gen Z employees coming straight out of college to be able to keep up with their broader workforce despite a lack of experience.

Six out of ten employers simply fire some of their new employees after just a few months with the company instead of training them.

And research shows that employers are just as guilty of ghosting their candidates as Gen Z workers.

Young people say their attitudes reflect how they are treated by employers in the labor market. One of the most popular comments on Gastman's video is: “My generation has stopped taking the application process seriously because they don't take us seriously most of the time.”

Another agreed that it was a “one-way street.”

This story was originally published on Fortune.com