I have been helping people with their careers for more than 25 years, and I don’t think I’ve ever known a more challenging time for graduates and young job seekers trying to get onto the first rung of the career ladder.
Back in 2009, during the financial crisis, I appeared on ITV’s Tonight with Trevor McDonald. One of the graduates I worked with spent a day walking around Liverpool One shopping centre handing out copies of his CV.
It wasn’t easy then, but at least employers were willing to take a CV and have a conversation.
Today, that approach simply doesn’t work.
Most applications are submitted online. Many organisations use applicant tracking systems to screen applications before a human being ever sees them. Artificial intelligence can help candidates create polished CVs and applications, but it also means recruiters are receiving larger numbers of applications that all sound remarkably similar.
As a result, standing out has become more difficult.
That doesn’t mean finding work is impossible. It means the strategy needs to change.
Human connections matter more than ever
Many young people focus almost entirely on submitting applications.
Applications are important, but they are only one route into work.
Ask yourself:
- Who do I know who might introduce me to someone?
- Is there a family friend, neighbour, former teacher, lecturer or employer who could offer advice?
- Are there local networking events I could attend?
- Is there someone whose work interests me that I could contact for an informal conversation?
A personal recommendation will never guarantee a job, but it may help your application receive more attention than hundreds of others arriving through an online system.
Look for experience, not perfection
Many graduates become trapped in a frustrating cycle.
Employers want experience, but you need a job to gain experience.
The answer is often to look more broadly.
Could you:
- Volunteer for a local charity?
- Help a small business with social media?
- Support a community project?
- Assist with administration, events or marketing?
- Build a small project of your own?
I volunteer at the Wilson Art Gallery and Museum. Some of the younger volunteers are there specifically because they want experience they can include on their CV.
That experience matters. It demonstrates reliability, initiative and commitment. It also gives you examples to talk about at interviews.
Keep learning
The world of work is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence is becoming part of many jobs, whether we like it or not. You do not need to become an expert overnight, but being curious and willing to learn can make a real difference.
Employers value people who demonstrate adaptability, initiative and a willingness to develop new skills. Free online courses, webinars, YouTube tutorials and community learning opportunities can all help you stay current and build confidence.
Protect your confidence
This may be the most important point of all.
If you are applying for jobs and receiving rejections, it is very easy to conclude that there is something wrong with you. There isn’t.
The job market is difficult. Many capable people are competing for the same opportunities.
A rejection is not a verdict on your worth as a person. It is often a reflection of timing, competition, internal candidates, changing business priorities or simple chance.
Pay attention to your mental and physical wellbeing.
- Exercise regularly.
- Stay connected to other people.
- Talk about how you are feeling.
- Keep a routine.
- Find ways to contribute, whether through volunteering, helping others or learning something new.
The goal is momentum
You do not need to have your entire future mapped out.
The first goal is simply to keep moving.
One conversation. One volunteer role. One new skill. One useful contact. One opportunity.
Careers rarely unfold in a straight line. Most people build them one step at a time.
In a world increasingly shaped by technology and automation, it is easy to forget something important. People still hire people. Relationships still matter.
And sometimes the opportunity that changes everything comes from a conversation rather than an application form.
