Want To Get Hired? Gen Z's 'Delulu' Mindset Can Help You Fake It Till You Make It!

Gen Zers are saying they need to be 'delulu' to get ahead in their jobs. How is being delusional helping the Zoomers sail through their careers? Let's dig in.

4 mins read

Want To Get Hired? Gen Z's 'Delulu' Mindset Can Help You Fake It Till You Make It!

House of delusion is cheap to build but drafty to live in, said the 19th-century poet and scholar A. E. Housman. Swoop to the 21st century, Gen Z's beg to differ. Their mantra is - 'Delulu is the Solulu', a short form for 'Delusion is the Solution.'

Though the phrase seems uncanny, the underlying message of the latest Gen Z slang is simple: Choose to be optimistic in the face of a disappointing reality. Seems like a good thought, but only if it is taken practically. However, Gen Zers are saying they need to be 'delulu' to get ahead in their jobs.

How is being delusional helping the Zoomers sail through their careers? Let's dig in a bit further.

Origin of Delulu - the Zenith of Manifestation

Delulu, the latest Gen Z neologism, has its origins in 2014 when Korean pop fans used the term to describe extremely wishful thinking, like the idea that you could end up dating your favorite pop star.

However, the term recently resurfaced with #delulu raking in over 1.3 billion views and spreading via screenshots and videos to X and Instagram reels. The 2.0 version of the term 'delulu' is more versatile and can be used to sort any situation, be it your love life or for climbing your career ladder.

Speaking of careers, many Gen Zs have shared on social media that delulu helped them bag their desired roles! As per Business Insider, a TikTok user managed to secure a position as a technical program manager at Google immediately after college despite having limited industry experience, all thanks to her "delulu" approach! So, is the delusional confidence hack really effective?

Confidence and Self Belief can do Wonders

A recent study has concluded that students with high self-confidence are capable of pursuing bigger goals due to their ability to persist in difficult challenges. The 'delulu' trend cements this notion.

Many psychologists believe that learning to be delulu could help you embody your best self at work. It makes you imagine yourself in a positive place and gives you a sense of self-assurance.

Being delusional might make you say 'yes' to challenges you wouldn’t normally dream of accepting. And your positive mindset would fuel your self-belief to take them on with full zest.

How are the company HRs taking 'Delulu is the Solulu?'

The mindset of the youngest members of the workforce is certainly impacting HR strategies and pushing organizations to redefine their purpose and look towards the new-age hiring mechanisms. Earlier, companies used to approach hiring with a traditional mindset wherein employees were simply hired to complete a 'task to be done.'

However, delulu-seeking Gen Zs are driven by their imagination and skills. They want to make a significant contribution and seek a job that is meaningful without salary being the sole determinant.

To tap the right talent, many employers are aligning their strategies in line with the new generation. They are making efforts to go beyond resumes and assess the candidates based on their potential and confidence.

Delulu wrapped in authenticity is the key

Delulu may be a catchall phrase doing rounds on social media, inspiring many to alter their ways of approaching difficulties. However, it must be taken with a pinch of salt.

The optimistic view comes with a caveat. While being delusional to pump up your positivity is fine, it is also essential to maintain a sense of realism when contemplating your career. And once the temporary delulu feeling dissipates, authenticity must prevail.

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