Gen Z at XTB: Beyond the Job Description

Finding a workplace that actually feels like the right fit isn’t always easy. For Gen Z, things like flexibility, opportunities to grow, and a supportive environment can make a big difference.

Our generation is often described as demanding, impatient, or quick to change jobs. From my perspective, it’s less about being difficult and more about knowing what we value and having a low tolerance for environments that simply don’t work for us. And when we do find the right place, we can be very loyal - especially when we see real opportunities to learn and grow.

As a Junior Content and Campaign Specialist at XTB and a Gen Z representative, I want to share my own experience of working here - what surprised me, what I value most, and what everyday work actually looks like beyond the job description.

Of course, every experience is different, but if you’re wondering whether XTB could be the right workplace for you, I hope this gives you a more personal perspective and helps you decide for yourself.

First impression: A smooth recruitment process

Anyone who has searched for a job in the past few years knows it can feel like a lost tenth circle of Dante’s Inferno. No further explanation needed.

So, when I came across XTB, I was pleasantly surprised. The job description was clear, I received a quick response after sending my CV, and the process itself was straightforward: two recruitment meetings and a task showcasing my future responsibilities. From what I remember, the time between applying and receiving an offer was around two weeks. It felt like a good sign and, overall, a green flag.

And that first impression turned out to be quite important, because recruitment is only the beginning. What really matters is what happens once you actually join the company.

Everyday work essentials

Gen Z, more than any other generation, appreciates hybrid work, with flexibility often becoming a non-negotiable in our job search. It gives you flexibility and saves time on commuting and getting ready.

For me, this is one of the areas where XTB gets the balance right. I feel like XTB leans into the sweet spot here - two days working from the office and three days from home. Working from the office definitely helps with socializing, and it’s useful for brainstorming or talking things out in person - it is valuable time. But not having to wake up at 6:30 just to go on the overcrowded metro is much appreciated for the rest of the week.

Apart from that, having REAL flexible working hours is also a big saver. Overslept a little bit? Fine, you can finish a little bit later - but nobody will interrogate you about being 10 minutes later than usual. It is also very helpful when making doctors’ appointments or if you are travelling later in the day and want to start at 7 a.m. to finish earlier.

And flexibility isn’t only about where or when you work. The environment you work in matters too.

A lot of Gen Zs also speak loudly about how much they appreciate interesting and stimulating office space. I am very glad the XTB office in Warsaw is nothing like those plain and bland offices we grew up seeing in movies about corporate America.

There are plants, CRAZY comfortable chairs, sofas you can rest on, adjustable standing desks (I personally use this feature quite often) and a chill room with a fridge stocked with a variety of beverages, a PlayStation, a foosball table, and a couple of other games you can enjoy while your mind has a little break from Excel.

Of course, a nice office is great. But for me, the bigger question is what kind of freedom you actually have once you sit down at your desk.

Autonomy, Ownership and NO Micromanagement

You will never know how annoying micromanagement at the workplace can be until you experience it yourself… but the good news is that at XTB I’ve never had to deal with it.

People here trust me to get things done, and I do not feel like someone is constantly peeking over my shoulder to see how I do it. Of course, I have the space to ask questions if needed and get constructive feedback on my work, but I really do appreciate the sense of autonomy, even as a junior, and the possibility of being a project owner for the things I later see on big banners outdoors, in ads, and in my mailbox ;).

That kind of trust can make a surprisingly big difference, especially when you’re still relatively early in your career. It definitely helps that the culture is more laid-back, and everyone refers to each other by their first name - I do not feel intimidated about asking questions and getting perspective from more experienced people. I also feel like I can share my ideas freely, and it is something very valuable to me as a younger person on my team. 

Growth perspective

In surveys, Gen Z puts growth opportunities as one of the most important factors they look for in their ideal workplace. I can agree - we are highly motivated and eager to learn. That was also the main factor behind my decision to leave my last two workplaces - I did not see the potential to grow and expand my skills. That’s why development was something I was paying particular attention to when I joined XTB. And so far, it hasn’t disappointed me.

At XTB, one of the things that really stood out to me is the readiness of the company to invest in their employees. Attending conferences, funding training and having the potential for new challenges are just a few of the opportunities I experienced in just a few months of working here.

Apart from that, employees have the opportunity to join the ambassador programme, which focuses on developing your public speaking skills, building your personal brand, and enhancing other soft skills. We love it when the employer is actually investing in their people instead of just talking about it in the job description. And sometimes, growth doesn’t have to mean another training course or a new responsibility. Sometimes it’s simply about getting the chance to try something completely different.

Interesting initiatives

Weekly yoga in the office, the opportunity to join the basketball/badminton team, a matcha workshop, ice plunges with sauna sessions in winter, kickboxing training, running together, and playing strategic board games are just a few of the things that I have experienced in just a few months here. I really value the fact that the company gives us so many opportunities to try new things and creates space to get to know and integrate with our teammates as well.

And this brings me to something that, in the end, might matter more than any individual benefit: the people you get to experience all of this with.

People

This might sound a bit cheesy, but at the end of the day, you spend 8 hours a day at work - might as well spend it having a good time and laughing during coffee breaks. During my interview process, this really stood out to me. The recruitment manager told me I would be a good fit personality-wise for the team I was applying for.

To be honest, I understood it after my first week here.

The atmosphere at work is extremely important and affects your performance, as well as your overall mood and satisfaction. No “Sunday scaries” for me.

Looking back at everything I’ve mentioned - the flexibility, autonomy, development opportunities and all those little things that make everyday work more enjoyable - I think the common thread is actually quite simple: how it feels to work here.

What makes a workplace worth staying at?

Although I’m writing from a Gen Z perspective, I believe that many of the things I’ve described, like flexibility, trust, growth opportunities, and a supportive environment, are values that resonate across all generations.

Of course, a lot also depends on the team, and I might have simply been lucky in that regard. However, from a broader perspective, I do feel that XTB as an organisation creates a structure that genuinely supports development, autonomy, and flexibility in everyday work.

That’s the real difference between a workplace that looks good on paper and one that actually works in practice. For Gen Z, that authenticity matters a lot, and it’s often the deciding factor when choosing whether to stay somewhere long-term.

So, if you’re currently looking for your next workplace, my advice would be simple: don’t just look at the job description. Look at how the company actually works, how people treat each other, and whether you’ll have the space to grow. And if you’re looking for a workplace that offers not only opportunities, but also the environment to truly make use of them, XTB is definitely a place worth considering.