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Job Hunting Woes: How One Simple Tip Changed Everything for These New Graduates

Trying to find your first job right now can be a struggle. There’s a lack of opportunities for gaining experience, and the overwhelming number of A

Trying to find your first job right now can be a struggle. There’s a lack of opportunities for gaining experience, and the overwhelming number of AI-generated applications makes it tough for both job seekers and employers to connect. Yet, amidst this chaos, many individuals are finding their way to stand out and climb the career ladder. Take a look at four people who were stuck in the loop of sending out hundreds of applications without any feedback. They finally discovered one thing that made all the difference in securing their first jobs.

Theresa Blair, a 24-year-old from Birmingham, graduated from Aston University in 2025 with a master’s in pharmacy. After a project management placement, she realized that this path was where her heart was. However, for the next eight months, she sent out hundreds of job applications, mostly to hear nothing back. “I realized I was sending very generic CVs to recruiters, and that was making it harder to stand out from other applicants,” she shared. So, she switched gears—tailoring her CV for each job, digging into the values of the companies she was applying to, and referencing these in her applications. “I’ve learnt that you should state the skills you’ve gained from your roles and explain how that makes you a suitable candidate,” she advises. By applying for fewer jobs but investing more time in each application, she found success. Now, she works full-time at a bank’s customer service call center and is commuting three days a week to London as a project manager. “It’s a two to three-hour commute, which can be tough, but I’m gaining valuable experience at a reputable company, so I’m incredibly happy,” she says. Her advice to others struggling to land their first job? “As hard as it is, keep applying. The job market isn’t easy right now, but believe that the work you’ve put in will be noticed by employers.”

Next up is Callum Stevens, 24, from Curry Rivel in Somerset. He studied computer science at the University of the West of England (UWE) while also developing an interest in transport. Callum took the initiative to reach out on LinkedIn to someone involved in a transport planning internship at Bristol City Council. When the internship opened up again, he applied and, to his surprise, was successful. Callum didn’t have prior experience in transport planning but believes he bagged the role because he showed genuine interest and a passion to learn. The internship, paying the minimum wage, is full-time and ends in August. While there might be a chance to extend it, he’s already hunting for a full-time job. “Even though it’s not permanent, the experience has been invaluable,” he notes. “It’s as powerful as my university degree.” His advice for others hoping to land internships? Don’t underestimate the value of temporary roles.

Then there’s Joshua Hopkins, a 26-year-old from Glasgow who initially pursued a business and marketing degree in Belgium but later transitioned into an apprenticeship. He’s currently working at a law firm and is halfway through a three-year Chartered Institute of Management Accountants course to become a chartered accountant. In between jobs, Joshua took the opportunity to serve on a housing association board, providing him with a platform to demonstrate to potential employers that “young people can bring a fresh perspective, ask the questions others overlook, and add real value even without a mountain of experience.” His advice? Seize any opportunity that helps you stand out. “Reach out to people you admire, get involved in a cause you care about, or build skills through short courses. A lot of progress comes from simply being proactive.”

Lastly, we have Clover Nelson, 20, from Leeds, who managed to snag a retail job after three long years of unemployment. “I was on job sites and doing everything I could to find work, but nine times out of ten, I didn’t hear back,” he recalls. Clover switched things up by opting to go in person to chat with managers instead of just relying on online applications. And guess what? That’s what landed him the job. “Start looking for signs in shop windows; there’s no human touch when you apply online, and that can make all the difference,” he points out.

Katherine Leopold, the Faculty Employability Lead Tutor at Greenwich Business School, also shared her top tips for applying for roles. Amidst this challenging environment, organizations are struggling, and the youth employment hub is facing tough times. No new legislation on welfare reform was announced in the recent King’s Speech, and Marc Bolland is set to advise on strategies to get young people into work after a review warned of a potential “lost generation.” Will personalized early intervention help keep those under 16 from falling into the NEET trap?

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber

Urgent Action Needed to Prevent a Lost Generation of Young Workers

A major review has issued a stark warning: one in six young people will find themselves out of work, education, or training in just five years unless

A major review has issued a stark warning: one in six young people will find themselves out of work, education, or training in just five years unless urgent measures are put in place. Alan Milburn, the former minister who authored the review, stated that the current education, health, and welfare systems are “no longer fit for purpose” when it comes to preparing young individuals for adult life. He emphasized the risk of a “lost generation,” predicting that by 2031, around 1.25 million 16 to 24-year-olds could be jobless or unengaged in any form of training.

Now, let’s talk numbers. The unemployment rate for young people aged 16 to 24 stands at a staggering 16.2%, the highest it’s been since 2014. Just think about that for a sec: this rate is more than three times the general unemployment figure of 5%. Milburn was brought in to figure out why so many young people are labeled as NEETs—those Not in Education, Employment, or Training. According to the latest stats from the UK, there were 957,000 young NEETs from October to December 2025. That’s roughly one in eight people in that age group! But get this: more than half of these young folks aren’t even looking for work.

Milburn’s warning is clear—if no action is taken, that number could swell to 1.25 million, or one in six young people, over the next five years. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, who commissioned this report, expressed his commitment to saving a generation from unemployment. He highlighted the government’s plans to incentivize businesses to hire young people and the creation of more apprenticeships. Yet, he admitted, “But we know there is more to do.”

The findings from Milburn’s review have stirred quite the conversation. He noted that for every £1 spent on employment support for young people, a whopping £25 goes to benefits. And contrary to popular belief, it isn’t that young people don’t want to work; in fact, 84% of surveyed NEETs say they desire a job or training. Milburn argues that the youth unemployment crisis isn’t on the young people themselves, but rather a system stuck in outdated practices. “This is not a failure of young people. It is a failure of a system stuck in the past,” he plans to say in his upcoming speech.

Stories from young individuals like Zaynah and Luke highlight the struggles faced by many. Zaynah, just 24, has been out of work since leaving college due to health issues, applying for over 200 jobs with no responses. She mentioned, “Getting a job is very hard because with my issues, I haven’t got that much experience.” On the other hand, Luke, a product design graduate from Central St Martin’s, has sent out more than 400 applications but landed only one interview for a cleaning position which he didn’t get. “You think, ‘I’ve got all the knowledge and skills, all I’m waiting for is a job to put it into practice.’ It makes you depressed,” he shared.

Meanwhile, Rocky, who was out of work for a year, eventually found a role at Nando’s as a waiter. Fast forward three years, and he’s now an assistant manager. “I’m 23 years old, and I’m a manager at Nando’s. I feel happy with myself,” he said, crediting his success to mentorship from his manager and support from the youth charity Spear.

The report also revealed alarming trends: in the past 20 years, low- and medium-skilled jobs in the UK have decreased by 1.6 million, while higher-skilled positions have surged by 6.3 million. The hospitality sector, which has traditionally provided entry-level roles for young people, has seen vacancies cut in half over four years. Lord Simon Wolfson, CEO of Next, noted a dramatic increase in applicants per vacancy, rising from 10 to 19 in just two years.

Rain Newton-Smith, head of the Confederation of British Industry, lamented the situation as a “tragic waste of potential” and emphasized the need for reforms to reduce job creation costs in the UK. Some employers argue that higher minimum wages and taxes make it harder to employ young workers, while the government defends its tax policies as necessary.

The Conservative Party criticized Labour for being more focused on its internal politics than addressing this “generational crisis.” Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately claimed that Labour’s policies have only made it harder for young individuals to step into the workforce, asserting that their piecemeal work programs are insufficient.

In the end, Alan Milburn’s review underscores the urgent need for reforms to address the staggering number of young people not engaged in work or education. As the landscape continues to shift, the question remains: how will we turn this tide and ensure a brighter future for the next generation?

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber

Urgent Action Needed: One in Six Young People Face Employment Crisis by 2031

A major review has issued a stark warning: one in six young people will find themselves outside of education, employment, or training in just five ye

A major review has issued a stark warning: one in six young people will find themselves outside of education, employment, or training in just five years unless urgent measures are taken. This alarming prediction comes from former minister Alan Milburn, who argues that our current education, health, and welfare systems are “no longer fit for purpose” in preparing young folks for the challenges of adult life. “We are at risk of a lost generation,” he emphasized, pointing out that the number of 16 to 24-year-olds who are out of work, education, or training could soar to a staggering 1.25 million by 2031.

Milburn is set to address the issue, stating that the “first rung of the career ladder has thinned,” making it unreachable for too many young people. He describes a frustrating catch-22 situation where employers demand work experience, yet the avenues for young people to gain that experience have dwindled or disappeared.

The concern over youth unemployment is palpable. The latest figures reveal an unemployment rate of 16.2% for those aged 16 to 24, marking the highest rate since 2014 and more than three times the general unemployment rate of 5%. Milburn’s investigation into why so many young people fall under the “NEET” (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) category has unveiled some shocking statistics. From October to December 2025, there were approximately 957,000 young people classified as NEET, which amounts to one in eight individuals in that age group. Alarmingly, more than half of these young people were not actively seeking employment.

If immediate action isn’t taken, this number could balloon to 1.25 million, translating to one in six young people without a clear path forward. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has expressed his commitment to addressing this pressing issue, noting that he commissioned the report to prevent a generation from falling into unemployment. He highlighted the government’s initiatives, including financial incentives for companies to hire young talent and efforts to create more apprenticeship opportunities.

McFadden also mentioned a focus on early intervention strategies, such as improving support for special educational needs and removing the two-child cap on benefits. However, he acknowledged, “But we know there is more to do.” Milburn’s findings have been widely discussed, especially his claim that the government spends 25 times more on benefits for young people than on helping them transition into work.

Contrary to the narrative that young people are apathetic about work, Milburn’s report reveals that a significant 84% of surveyed NEETs expressed a desire for jobs or training, emphasizing that the youth unemployment crisis is not their fault but rather a failure of an outdated system. “This is not a failure of young people. It is a failure of a system stuck in the past,” he is expected to assert in his upcoming speech.

Let’s put a face to these statistics. For instance, Zaynah, a 24-year-old, has been grappling with health issues and hasn’t been able to find work since finishing college. Despite applying for more than 200 jobs in the past year, she hasn’t received a single response. “Getting a job is very hard because with my issues, I haven’t got much experience, I’ve never worked before,” she lamented. To combat this, she’s considering volunteering to bolster her CV.

Then there’s Luke, a 23-year-old who graduated from the prestigious Central St Martin’s University with a degree in product design. Despite his qualifications, he’s found job hunting to be an uphill battle. Having applied for over 400 positions, he’s had only one interview for a cleaning role, which he didn’t land. “It’s humiliating,” he shared. “You think, ‘Okay, I’ve got all the knowledge, I’ve got the skills, all I’m waiting for is a job to put it in practice.’ It makes you depressed, especially the amount of rejections.” He’s now relying on benefits to get by.

On a more positive note, we have Rocky, who was out of work for a year before joining Nando’s as a waiter. Fast forward three years, and he’s now an assistant manager. “I’m 23 years old and I’m a manager at Nando’s,” he beams. “I feel happy with myself. I can look back and tell my doubters that I made it.” Rocky attributes his success to the mentoring he received from a manager at Nando’s and the ongoing support from the youth charity Spear.

The review reveals a troubling statistic: in the 2024/25 period, for every £1 spent on employment support for young people, around £25 was allocated for benefits. Furthermore, it noted that the number of low- and medium-skilled jobs in the UK has dropped by 1.6 million over the past two decades, while higher-skilled positions have surged by 6.3 million.

The high street and hospitality sectors, typically the first stop for young people’s work experience, have seen a significant decline in job vacancies, halving in the past four years. The boss of Next, Lord Simon Wolfson, noted that just two years ago, there were about 10 applications for every shop vacancy; now that number has shot up to 19. Rain Newton-Smith, the chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry, stated that the report highlights “a tragic waste of potential” and identifies key issues that need addressing.

Some employers argue that hiring young people has become increasingly challenging due to higher minimum wages and increased taxes, including employer National Insurance contributions. The government has defended its tax hikes on businesses and the rise in the national minimum wage.

As the political landscape unfolds, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently reversed proposed welfare spending reforms aimed at saving £5 billion a year by 2030, which faced backlash from his own Labour MPs. While this review doesn’t offer immediate solutions, those will be presented in a future report.

The Conservative Party claims Labour is too wrapped up in internal leadership turmoil to tackle the “generational crisis” highlighted by Milburn. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately criticized Labour’s policies, arguing that decisions like the jobs tax and limiting apprenticeship funding have only made it harder for young people to step into the workforce.

“Every policy choice Labour has made… has made it harder for a young person to take their first step into work,” she stated. With calls for reforming the welfare system to address the high numbers of young people not engaged in work or education, the spotlight remains on Alan Milburn’s findings.

As we look at the education system, John Boumphrey pointed out it “isn’t necessarily producing young people who are ready for work.” A recruiter mentioned that each graduate role now attracts about 140 applications, making the competition fierce.

And while the UK faces its own challenges, globally, a staggering three in four people in Afghanistan cannot meet their basic needs today. Meanwhile, the number of job vacancies in the UK has plummeted to its lowest level in five years, as the impacts of the Iran war begin to ripple through businesses.

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber

Amazon’s UK Boss Urges Fairness for Young Job Seekers

Amazon’s UK boss, John Boumphrey, has made a powerful statement regarding the alarming number of young people out of work, declaring it’s time to s

Amazon’s UK boss, John Boumphrey, has made a powerful statement regarding the alarming number of young people out of work, declaring it’s time to stop pointing the finger at them. Speaking to the BBC, Boumphrey said, “We have to stop blaming young people,” emphasizing that the education system is failing to prepare them adequately for the job market. Currently, nearly a million young Brits are neither in education nor employment, yet Boumphrey highlights that Amazon, despite being a major employer, is struggling to find individuals with the right skills.

The stats paint a grim picture: the unemployment rate has crept up to 5% in the UK, with 16.2% of 16 to 24-year-olds now jobless—the highest figure since late 2014. It’s a tough break for young folks trying to enter the workforce. Jane Foley, managing director at Rabobank, described these figures as “a horrible number,” pointing out that many hospitality jobs, which used to be entry points for many young people, are disappearing due to minimum wage laws and the rise of technology.

Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicates that the decline in youth employment is nearing the levels seen during the financial crisis of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Labour minister Alan Milburn has labeled this situation a “social catastrophe, an economic catastrophe, and a political catastrophe.” It’s alarming, right? Boumphrey noted that Amazon employs around 75,000 people in the UK, with half of them coming directly from education or unemployment. He stated, “I think too often you read about young people that somehow they lack motivation… That is not our experience.”

Boumphrey pointed to their work experience program for young people with learning disabilities and autism, highlighting how transformative such opportunities can be. He argued that work experience should be mandatory for anyone over 16. “It’s not a motivation problem – it’s a system problem,” he asserted, calling for a more structured approach to equip the youth with the skills employers are seeking.

Despite the grim job landscape, Boumphrey insists that Amazon faces a different dilemma—finding qualified candidates. He mentioned the need for collaboration between businesses, local governments, and educational institutions to identify and bridge the skills gap. As Amazon expands, they’ve introduced robots into their warehouses, and rather than eliminating jobs, they’ve found themselves hiring more people. “We ended up employing more people,” Boumphrey explained, highlighting the need for roles like mechatronics engineers and technicians, which are in short supply.

Niki Fuchs, CEO of Office Space in Town, echoed Boumphrey’s sentiments, stressing that providing work experience is all about mindset and that companies should be more proactive in creating opportunities for young people. On the tax front, Amazon has often faced scrutiny, with critics arguing that their tax bills haven’t kept pace with their booming sales. Boumphrey stated that last year, Amazon contributed more than £5.8 billion in taxes, including business rates and national insurance.

As the job market remains challenging, stories like that of Andy Wilkins, a 26-year-old from Southend on Sea who has been jobless for nearly a year, serve as a stark reminder of the struggles many face. Having exhausted his savings and relying on a meager Universal Credit payment, Andy has applied to numerous entry-level positions without success. “I am desperate to work, no job is too big or too small,” he insists, capturing the frustration echoed by many in his situation.

The job landscape for the youth remains precarious, and as Boumphrey looks ahead, the question lingers: how can we better equip the next generation for the workforce? With ongoing discussions about reforming the education system and creating more work experience opportunities, the future for young job seekers hangs in the balance.

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber