Our series of articles by young, aspiring journalists, has moved to this, its new Saturday slot. This week Abby White explores why it is so difficult for young people to get jobs and questions why there is a negative perception of youngsters who are struggling to find work.
WHAT do the majority of the public think when it comes to young people getting jobs … Lazy? Incompetent maybe? Or apparently we’re just not bothered.
The truth is that a lot of us young people do try our hardest to get a part time job; it just isn’t as easy as it seems.
These days it’s more about who you know and not what you know, it’s also about being at the right place at the right time.
Many people I know, including myself, have the advantage of being able to put volunteer work and useful skills on their CV, but so far that hasn’t made a difference.
There’s also the fact that a lot of businesses use the “You haven’t got enough experience” excuse, though how are we supposed to get experience if no one will give it to us? Do they want blood? I’m not quite sure what else to do.
However, it seems people’s perceptions of youth unemployment have changed since the recession, as there is so much negativity portrayed about it in the news. No wonder people are so pessimistic about it, the media is practically brainwashing everyone into thinking young people are useless and lazy, instead of bright and full of potential.
Though unemployment fell by 35,000 to 2.65 million during the December to February period, according to the Office for National Statistics, so what is everyone still complaining about?
Since we are still in a recession, it’s understandable that businesses are not always able to hire people, especially young people, but do they reject us in the best way?
Sometimes you will get a nice polite rejection letter, which will include some sort of reasonable excuse of why they can’t hire you.
Yes, you will be gutted maybe even annoyed, but you know you will have to look else where. Some places will simply tell you “no” … a bit harsh but still, at least you know where you stand. Maybe if they smiled while they said it, it wouldn’t be so bad. But the worse thing, is when they don’t reply to you whatsoever, especially when they have specifically asked for staff, not naming any names but that certainly annoyed me. Not to mention I applied at least three times, and still no reply.
The advice I receive most often about getting a job, is to just repeatedly ask for a job, until you’re on the verge of harassment, but in a good way, if that’s at all possible. At least then they will know your enthusiasm and commitment about the role.
Something I was recently told by a very experienced journalist is that they noticed one day at a leading supermarket that there were many people over the age of 40 working there.
The journalist looked into it further and found out that the supermarket preferred to hire older people as they didn’t feel that young people were trustworthy enough to employ. In their defence, yes some young people are not trustworthy enough to employ, but neither are some older people, just like everyone else, there are good and bad apples.
The whole point about the interview and trial processes is that you can get to know the candidates and decide if they are fit for the job. But how exactly are young people supposed to prove themselves if they are not being given the chance?
Basically, the world of employment is an extremely competitive place. We are being pitted against each other like dogs in a race, seeing who will reach the finish line first.
Another leading super- market had 14 jobs available for which 400 people applied for; obviously the odds are not in everyone’s favour.
All we can do is hold on tight and be the best we can be to get the job we hope to get. Fingers crossed!