With the number of young people without a job rising to more than a million and the unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-olds at 22.2%, there has never been a more challenging time for young people trying to find employment.
A survey published by LearnDirect found that job seekers do not know what employers want, with a quarter not knowing how to create a good impression in interviews.
Employers want value for money and are becoming increasingly skeptical about taking on young people because they want people that will hit the ground running and provide quick results that will justify their appointment in the first place. For instance, will a graduate who has been used to studying for 8 to 12 hours a week really be able to step up to the demands of a full time position in a demanding job role?
At Quest Professional we sit down with employers on a regular basis to determine the ever-changing skills required for young people to enter the job market. Rather than just looking at the quality of a degree, large city companies are now looking for more personal skills. They want to see evidence that a young person is self aware, has the ability to take responsibility, and is consistent and capable of taking initiative and willing to be adaptable.
What young people can do to help them get off the unemployment lists
The general consensus amongst young people is a fear that they are not entirely prepared for the workforce. Having practical and personal skills that are useful in the workplace is just as valuable as being flexible and ambitious.
Employers tell us that they see too many people who lack many of the basics such as IT skills, an understanding of financial procedures and even standard office protocols. It is expected now that young people approach their new jobs with a positive attitude and willingness to start from the bottom and work their way up. It is essential that they learn how to compose business correspondence, how to dress appropriately and have up-to-date knowledge of software packages in order to stand out and show that they have what it takes to succeed.
There are numerous options available to young people and graduates looking to stand out to employers and land their dream job. Completing a business course or on an internship to build some experience into their CV is the most important first step that employers look for.
Courses that are specifically tailored to suit a young person's needs not only ensure that they approach employers with all the necessary skills but also shows the employer that they are able to offer immediate value to an organisation.
Whilst unpaid placements do not sound appealing for job seekers, there is no substitute for real experience and it also provides them with a chance to impress potential future employers.
For those who are currently unemployed and looking for work, there are many different platforms where employers are posting job advertisements. Young people are accustomed to social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook but rarely think to look for job opportunities on them. Linkedin is another useful tool for searching for jobs and also allows employers to find relevant people suitable to the jobs they are advertising.
The state of the economy means that young people have to work harder now to get that first step on the career ladder. While employers expect more, gaining the necessary skills to be considered for junior roles in today's fast-paced and demanding working environments actually benefits everyone. It means that young people have to up their game and gain new skills and it means that they can hit the ground running, ensuring that their new employers are more productive more quickly and helping the economy to get back on its feet.