‘I’ve applied for more than 400 roles’ – how young people are facing the job shortage
I ve applied for more than 400 – Across the UK, the term “lost generation” has gained traction to describe a growing group of young people struggling to secure employment or training opportunities. With over a million individuals under the age of 24 stuck in a state of uncertainty, the challenges they face highlight a broader crisis in the job market. Three young people sharing their experiences offer a glimpse into the daily struggles of navigating this landscape.
Zaynah’s journey from hesitation to hope
Zaynah, 24, has spent the past year navigating a sea of job applications, submitting over 200 resumes without a single response. Her story begins with a health condition—eczema—that once limited her ability to pursue her passion for nail art. Though she eventually transitioned to makeup, the path has not been easy. “I wasn’t very confident at all,” she recalls. “I was a very shy girl, and I felt stuck trying to find my place in the workforce.”
“Right now I’ve just been applying to make-up roles and make-up jobs in retail. I never worked before… I feel like in that way, it’s restricting me and I’m not getting jobs.”
Through a six-week charity initiative, Zaynah has found a renewed sense of purpose. The program has helped her build confidence, allowing her to engage in conversations she once avoided. “Now I feel like there is a big difference from what I was,” she says. “I can hold conversations better now. Back then I couldn’t, I didn’t know what to speak about and I was very shy.”
Her experience reflects a common theme among young job seekers: the impact of inexperience on career prospects. Despite her enthusiasm, the sheer volume of rejections has been daunting. “The application process is quite vile,” she admits. “You apply, but then the online process wants to know the exact same information somewhere else in a different form. You end up going through it again and redoing all of it from scratch.”
Luke’s battle with overqualification
Luke, 23, a graduate of product design from Central St Martin’s University, has faced a similar uphill battle. After applying for more than 400 roles, he remains without a steady job. His frustration stems from a mismatch between his skills and the available opportunities. “Any normal person coming out of a university degree would think: ‘Yes, I’ve got a degree. I am now open to all these starting, junior jobs,’” he explains.
“You find out they haven’t got the finances or AI has just replaced a whole load of jobs. The amount of rejections definitely make you depressed. It’s humiliating.”
Despite his qualifications, Luke feels overlooked for both entry-level and more skilled positions. He has been rejected for roles ranging from cleaning and barista jobs to receptionist and waiter positions. “I think I’ve had one interview for a janitor role,” he says. “They said they’ll get back to me… I didn’t hear anything.”
His situation underscores a growing concern: the degree itself may no longer guarantee a foothold in the job market. “As you enter the job market that you want to go into, you don’t have enough experience for that job,” he notes. “And you’re overskilled for basic jobs, like stacking shelves… which I’ve done before. But once you’ve got that degree you are pushed aside as being overskilled.”
Adding to his stress, Luke began claiming Universal Credit in March last year. The experience of entering job centres has been particularly challenging, leaving him feeling a sense of rejection. “Everything I’ve done means nothing, in this day and age it’s useless,” he laments. “It’s the Catch-22 situation.”
Tarun’s interrupted path
Tarun, 18, has had his education disrupted by personal circumstances. After his grandmother’s passing, he traveled to India, temporarily halting his studies. “I started doing plumbing level two… but I had to go to India so they kicked me out,” he explains. “I was looking for work and education, but I couldn’t get anywhere.”
“I did apply for lots of things. I tried to do jobs as well… but they were like, ‘you need experience’ and I didn’t have any experience. I felt trapped. It was like a loop, going over again and again.”
Upon returning, Tarun found himself without a clear direction. “I just felt lost,” he admits. “I didn’t have anyone to motivate me, so I motivated myself. I was like: I’ll start doing rapping. So I wrote songs, I started rapping to entertain myself. That really helped me.”
His story illustrates the ripple effects of personal crises on career development. While his academic and vocational training provided a foundation, the lack of continuity has left him scrambling to rebuild. “Since then I’ve been trying and failing to find work,” he says. “It’s been like a year. I didn’t know what to do.”
The challenges these young people face are emblematic of a systemic issue in the current job market. For Zaynah, the struggle to transition from a health condition to a new career path has been compounded by the repetitive nature of online applications. For Luke, the paradox of being both qualified and underskilled highlights the evolving demands of employment. And for Tarun, the sudden interruption of his studies has created a unique set of obstacles.
Experts warn that this situation could have long-term consequences for young people’s financial stability and career trajectories. The loss of training opportunities and the pressure to secure immediate employment create a cycle of uncertainty. “The job market is changing faster than many can adapt,” one analyst notes. “Young people are being asked to fill roles that don’t yet exist, while others are left behind by the very technology that is reshaping the workplace.”
Despite these hurdles, there is a glimmer of hope. Initiatives like Spear’s confidence-building programs are providing critical support for those like Zaynah, helping her regain her sense of self-worth. For Luke, the act of rapping has become a coping mechanism, allowing him to stay motivated during prolonged setbacks. Tarun’s self-driven creativity demonstrates the resilience of youth in the face of adversity.
As the job market continues to evolve, the experiences of these individuals serve as a reminder of the human cost behind the statistics. Their stories are not just personal struggles but reflections of a larger societal challenge. With over a million young people under 24 in limbo, the need for comprehensive solutions has never been more urgent. Whether through vocational training, mental health support, or policy changes, addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach to ensure no one is left behind in the pursuit of work and purpose.
