Employment expert’s tips to land your next job amid steepest recruitment decline in years – & 5 common mistakes to avoid
YOUNG jobseekers are facing such a severe employment crisis that some are applying for 50 vacancies at a time in a desperate hunt for work.
The Budget tax raid on businesses has led to the steepest recruitment decline in more than four years across a wide range of industries, and Gen Z — those aged 18 to 27 — are suffering the most.
Cuts to the Employer National Insurance tax threshold will hit lower-paid jobs hardest — raising the cost of employing a worker in the lowest fifth of earners by more than four per cent, while the cost of an employee in the top fifth of earners will rise by about 1.5 per cent.
Next CEO, Lord Wolfson said on Friday that tax changes announced in the Budget could make it “harder for people to enter the workforce”.
He said a rise in NI paid by business would hit the retail sector in particular and meant the “axe” had “fallen particularly hard” on entry-level jobs.
He called on the government to stagger the tax changes, rather than introduce them in April.
Entry-level jobs for school leavers and graduates have fallen by six per cent since last January, according to recruitment and employment firm Manpower, as companies pushing for productivity increases are reluctant to take on inexperienced staff.
Recent research by financial services firm Admiral, which employs more than 10,000 people across its brands, says almost a fifth of Gen Z-ers are now seeking “employers for life” because they are so worried about the future.
Tough rejections
And 88 per cent are prioritising stability when they are job-hunting.
Shoshanna Davis, who has seen the problem first-hand, is an employment and early careers expert who has been dubbed the Fairy Job Mother after becoming a social media phenomenon with her help and advice for school leavers and graduates to find work.
She reveals just how difficult it is in the jobs marketplace — and shares her expert tips and guidance on how the millions who are seeking work can actually find a position.
Shoshanna, 28, said: “I know lots of people who have applied for 50-plus jobs. I’ve seen people get really down about it. They are young, and they are facing tough rejections, often for the first time in their lives.
“I went through it myself. I applied for over 30 jobs and had the same number of rejections.”
Shoshanna decided to set up her own business, helping young people to understand work and teaching employers to better understand young people.
She says: “Some industries are desperate for staff but often they don’t do a very good job of attracting young people — such as in construction and areas of tech.
“But in other industries like marketing, there is more demand than supply.
“So you have loads of people aiming for virtually the same job, often years in advance. Therefore there just aren’t enough vacancies in that area.
“It has been tough for Gen Zers. In the pandemic their lives were on pause, their education was halted, they missed work experience opportunities, and felt like they were playing catch-up.
“Now they are aiming high to catch up while comparing their lives to highlighted reels on social media, where people are often seen glamorising their jobs.
“They tend to want their first job to be their dream job but there are millions finishing education at one time and there are not millions of jobs in any one sector.
‘The perfect way’
“I urge people to work part-time, earn money, gain some experience in whatever field they can and show their determination while trying to find a job in their desired industry.”
Shoshanna also thinks apprenticeships are a good route, and said: “There’s a lot of publicity for glam degree apprenticeships, where you can study for a degree while working.
“Lower-level apprenticeships may not be as talked about but they are way less competitive and the perfect way to get into an industry.”
Many graduates want to work for big organisations but she suggests thinking small and focusing on networking.
She says: “I always tell them they can find companies on their doorstep. Even if they don’t have an opening, get in touch — what have you got to lose?
“Especially for things such as apprenticeships, small businesses can claim funding for them — so it’s a win-win on both sides.
“And networking should be 50 per cent of your search. Now the job market is so competitive, you are more likely to find a job putting yourself out there rather than clicking ‘apply’ and getting lost amid hundreds of other applications.”
Below, Shoshanna offers her expert tips, and we hear the experience of two young jobseekers.
GEN Z IS JUST NOT WORKING
LOU KING, 20, has applied for more than 40 casual, part-time and full-time minimum-wage jobs but keeps getting rejection letters.
She says: “I have applied to be a casual cleaner, to work behind a bar, in cafes, to wash dishes, but no one wants to hire me.
“The only way I could survive is to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance.
“I feel I am judged for being Gen Z and for not having a degree or a college education.”
Lou, from Maidstone, Kent, adds: “I think Gen Z is fast becoming unemployable because no one is willing to give us a go.”
Freya Webber has a degree in broadcast journalism from Leeds Trinity University, but has nothing to show for it except dozens of rejection letters for entry-level jobs.
Freya, 22, from Leeds, says: “I started applying for jobs last year, determined to get a head start on other graduates, but I cannot even get an interview.
“I have work experience and a resumé proving I work well under pressure but I’ve been told I’m over-qualified for an entry-level position or don’t have enough experience.
“I think many bosses don’t want Gen Z staffers because we’re considered demanding or difficult.
“I am willing to work every hour I have to, and I still can’t get a start in my dream job.”
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
USING CHATGPT: I see a lot of identical cover letters, because people are using the AI writing tool. If you are going to use Al, use it as a tool and don’t just blindly copy and paste.
NOT USING THE JOB DESCRIPTION: This is your guide to applying for a job – it spells out exactly what an employer is looking for. It is pointless if you focus on highlighting skills that are irrelevant to the role.
NO RESEARCH: You should know your potential employer inside and out. If you have built up as much information as you can about them and can reference this knowledge, you will be a step ahead.
MAKING AN APPLICATION ALL ABOUT YOU: Lots of applicants will talk about their skills – which of course an employer wishes to know about – but they also want to know what makes them attractive to you.
IGNORING INSTRUCTIONS: Job applications will have specific instructions. Some people don’t read the fine print and ignore them.
SPOTTING THOSE RED FLAGS
LONG JOB DESCRIPTIONS: These can be a sign that the company is not sure what the role entails.
CHANGING DEADLINES: If time limits that were set by the company are then moved around, be cautious. It may point to the employer not being sure what they are looking for, or a sign of lots of internal change.
BAD REVIEWS: When you research a company, look for any bad reviews – including on social media. Many people will post videos on TikTok or Facebook groups, sharing their experiences.
INFLEXIBILITY: If a company is reluctant to show flexibility during the application process, that is an indicator of the kind of employer they will be. For example, if a firm is not willing to move an interview date, or negotiate on a non-fixed salary, they may also be inflexible towards you as employers.
PRESSURE TO ACCEPT: I was made to feel I had offended one employer by asking for time to consider a job offer. I used the time to contact the person who was previously in the job, and had really struggled with the company.
IS THE ROLE RIGHT FOR YOU?
DECIDE WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU: Many people are so keen to get a job, they don’t map out what kind of company they want to join. Work out what your interests, skills and values are, then apply to firms which align with them.
IT’S GOOD TO TALK: Ask as many people as you can about roles you apply for. A firm’s slick website won’t tell you what it is actually like to work there.
INTERVIEW THE INTERVIEWERS: Be sure to ask key questions about the firm’s culture, values and measures of success. For example, Admiral has the people promise Where You Can, which offers its staff certain benefits.
DEFINE CLEAR GOALS: Be clear on what is expected of you. Sometimes workplace goals are not set, and you need to know how your progress will be measured.
BE VOCAL ON YOUR AMBITIONS: If you want to be promoted in your first year, make sure your employer knows. Be proactive, don’t just assume you will be offered promotion if you work hard.