First-Time HR Awardee ABHISHEK SARMA from Reliance Retail initiated the second panel discussion on the topic "Redefining Gen Z's Recruitment: Early Talent Identification, Skill-Based Hiring, and Emerging HR Tech Trends."

The panel explored how recruitment strategies are evolving to meet the expectations of a purpose-driven generation. Anitha Jayapal from L&T EduTech highlighted the shift towards skill-based assessments and flexible career pathways, emphasizing the need to equip students with the right digital skills to meet industry demands. She also noted the importance of internships, which provide hands-on exposure across various departments, fostering well-rounded growth. Stuty Borpuzari from Coca-Cola shared her personal insights into Gen Z’s mindset, praising their clarity of thought and redefinition of self-love. She highlighted how recruitment has shifted from traditional methods to campus workshops and project-based engagements that align with Gen Z’s personal interests. Vikas Singh Songara spoke about innovative initiatives like the “Alpha” model, which offers flexible working options, allowing individuals to choose their workdays—a concept highly appealing to Gen Z. SARAT ROY added that recruiters must prioritize candidates’ mindsets, focusing on traits like innovation, risk-taking, and growth potential throughout the hiring process.

Ravi Kumar Raghunathan, IBM, emphasizes the importance of mentorship in fostering growth and development in the ever-evolving AI landscape.

The panel concluded by emphasizing the importance of embracing these evolving trends in recruitment, from flexible career options to tech-enabled hiring processes, ensuring organizations effectively attract and retain the best Gen Z talent.

Moderator Vishal Sharma from Lenskart.com led an engaging discussion on redefining recruitment strategies for Gen Z, focusing on mental health, work preferences, and bridging the gap between corporate expectations and the aspirations of this dynamic generation. The session emphasized the importance of carefully curating career paths, skill development, and interview processes to foster growth and alignment, ensuring Gen Z finds purpose and development within organizations.

Paras Thakur highlighted that "retention begins at onboarding" through his "1000 Days Concept," while Ruthi Phazang stressed the need for effective classroom training to keep employees motivated throughout their journey. MEGHALI KUMAR shed light on how global compensation trends influence Gen Z’s decisions but reaffirmed India as a culturally rich and growth-driven workspace. Ravi Shankar Singh echoed this sentiment, noting India’s strong appeal to students as a thriving destination for personal and professional growth, contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP. Raj V. highlighted the importance of working with safe and dynamic environment for the overall sound development of the candidates.

This insightful conversation reimagined the role of organizations in empowering Gen Z, fostering collaboration, and creating workplaces where both individuals and businesses can thrive together.