Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry

Filiz Gümüş Dönmez; Nur Çelik İlal; Hasan Evrim Arıcı

doi:10.30519/ahtr.1817833

Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry

Abstract

This study aims to examine Gen Z’s expectations during job interviews in the hospitality & tourism (H&T) industry. The data was collected through the qualitative method using semi-structured interviews with 14 participants who had fresh experience of recruitment processes. The findings indicated that when evaluating prospective employers, applicants focused on practicalities and personal attributes such as the ability to adapt or willingness to work in a team. Along with chances for professional growth and hands-on learning, economic factors like housing, pay, and benefits were consistently found to be crucial. This study shows how Gen Z approaches employment with pragmatic yet aspirational expectations, shaped by both financial security and career growth, in contrast to earlier studies that interviewed department managers or supervisors and directly considered generation Z in recruitment practices. Understanding and meeting Gen Z's expectations is becoming a crucial priority for companies looking to draw in and keep young talent as their presence in the workforce increases.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Tourism (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Filiz Gümüş Dönmez
0000-0003-1661-3277
Türkiye

Nur Çelik İlal
0000-0002-1170-4308
Türkiye

Hasan Evrim Arıcı ^*
0000-0003-3429-4513
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

May 12, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

November 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1817833

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA69US69AN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Gümüş Dönmez, F., Çelik İlal, N., & Arıcı, H. E. (2026). Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1817833

AMA

1.Gümüş Dönmez F, Çelik İlal N, Arıcı HE. Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.30519/ahtr.1817833

Chicago

Gümüş Dönmez, Filiz, Nur Çelik İlal, and Hasan Evrim Arıcı. 2026. “Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry”. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1817833.

EndNote

Gümüş Dönmez F, Çelik İlal N, Arıcı HE (May 1, 2026) Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR) Advanced Online Publication

IEEE

[1]F. Gümüş Dönmez, N. Çelik İlal, and H. E. Arıcı, “Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry”, Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), no. Advanced Online Publication, May 2026, doi: 10.30519/ahtr.1817833.

ISNAD

Gümüş Dönmez, Filiz - Çelik İlal, Nur - Arıcı, Hasan Evrim. “Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry”. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). Advanced Online Publication (May 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1817833.

JAMA

1.Gümüş Dönmez F, Çelik İlal N, Arıcı HE. Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). 2026. doi:10.30519/ahtr.1817833.

MLA

Gümüş Dönmez, Filiz, et al. “Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry”. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), no. Advanced Online Publication, May 2026, doi:10.30519/ahtr.1817833.

Vancouver

1.Filiz Gümüş Dönmez, Nur Çelik İlal, Hasan Evrim Arıcı. Hiring Gen Z: Rethinking Job Interviews in Hospitality and Tourism Industry. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). 2026 May 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.30519/ahtr.1817833