Struggles of Young Job Seekers Amid Economic Uncertainty
NEW YORK (AP) — Stacey Watson, now 28, grew up as the daughter of Jamaican immigrants and often found a distinct absence of relatable characters in the literature she consumed. Today, she aspires to become a book editor, fervently advocating for a wider spectrum of story protagonists to ensure that her nieces and the younger generation feel seen and heard.
However, securing an entry-level position within the publishing industry has presented significant challenges. Two years post-acquiring her master’s degree—augmented by four internships and multiple part-time roles—Watson remains without a full-time staff position, residing with her parents in Brooklyn to alleviate financial pressures.
“Each year, I hope to finally tell my parents, ‘I’ve secured a full-time job; you needn’t worry about me any longer,’” she lamented.
Watson’s narrative is emblematic of the myriad challenges confronting job seekers striving to embark on their careers amid a climate of economic unease, which has dissuaded employers from hiring and employees from making job transitions.
According to statistics, the unemployment rate for U.S. college graduates aged 22 to 27 has eclipsed that of the general populace since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic. Numerous degree-holders pursuing their inaugural roles report enduring months of application submissions.
Amidst a fiercely competitive job market, businesses frequently gravitate towards experienced candidates when possible, observed Laura Ullrich, economic research director for job search platform Indeed.
“With resignation rates low, opportunities for new graduates have become scarce,” she explained. “We’re in a stagnant scenario with limited openings.”
Strategies for Job Seekers
Candidates and career experts proffer strategies for perseverance in this arduous search.
Cultivating Connections
With employers increasingly deploying artificial intelligence to sift through an influx of resumes, securing an internal referral can give candidates a vital advantage. Internships or part-time roles can serve as launching pads for relationship-building within the industry.
Additional resources like alumni networks and professional organizations also facilitate networking opportunities.
Jennifer Moglia, 22, while interning in the music sector, created a meticulous spreadsheet to catalog individuals she encountered during meetings, noting shared interests and topics of conversation. Subsequently, she utilized LinkedIn to arrange one-on-one dialogues.
“I reached out to nearly everyone I had interacted with, requesting a brief conversation about their roles,” Moglia recounted. “I aimed to simplify the process for them, suggesting, ‘If your schedule is current, I can find a mutually convenient time.’”
This proactive networking bore fruit; leading up to her graduation, Moglia applied for 70 positions while leveraging her contacts for insights into vacancies. “Most interviews stemmed from connections I had developed,” she noted.
Having received two offers, Moglia now thrives as a venue marketing coordinator with Live Nation Entertainment in New York.
2. Embracing Flexibility
Consider exploring employment opportunities beyond the confines of your major or preferred career trajectory, especially in environments saturated with applicants. Your skill set may seamlessly transfer across various sectors.
“Many individuals in their forties aren’t working in the fields they initially pursued,” Ullrich remarked. “Broadening your search is a wise strategy.”
Luke Sutton, 24, a 2023 dramatic writing graduate, initially sought a position in television but encountered a hiring freeze due to a writers’ strike. He submitted over 1,000 applications before finally securing a role as a creative assistant at a healthcare advertising agency, Patients & Purpose.
Throughout his search, despair occasionally ensued. “The most challenging aspect was the deafening silence following my applications. It left me feeling unmoored, as though basic sustenance was a lofty aspiration,” Sutton shared.
Maintaining part-time positions and an open mindset, he widened his horizons toward any writing-related roles, focusing particularly on assistant positions. “While my current job isn’t my ultimate goal, I’m fortunate to engage in creative work,” noted Sutton.
3. Navigating Technological Advancements
As the adoption of artificial intelligence escalates, employers increasingly seek candidates with proficiency in this burgeoning technology, alongside an ability to adeptly adapt to rapid changes, remarked Efrem Bycer, LinkedIn’s head of workforce and climate policy partnerships.
Employers are hesitating to onboard entry-level talent as certain tasks are now executable by AI, according to Betheny Gross, research director at WGU Labs, the innovation segment of Western Governors University, an online institution in Utah.
Nonetheless, AI can also serve as an asset in addressing the experience disparities faced by entry-level candidates, exemplified by the university’s virtual internships and simulation apprenticeships designed for real job scenarios.
“Currently, the labor market appears to be bifurcating into individuals who comprehend AI’s potential and limitations, and those who do not,” Gross explained.
4. Practicing Self-Compassion
A pivotal aspect of enduring what can often be a drawn-out job search is recognizing that any delays are not necessarily indicative of personal failures, advised Peter Cappelli, a management professor at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. It’s crucial for parents and aspiring workers to understand that the current job climate does not reflect inadequacies on the part of the candidates.
For Aileen Ryan, 23, the journey to find new employment since her layoff from a nonprofit last May has been grueling. Having financially supported herself and helped her mother since high school, she has submitted over 400 applications with little success.
Out of 70 LinkedIn outreach attempts, only three generated responses, one suggesting prayer as a remedy.
Faced with the impending end of her unemployment benefits and a student loan deferment deadline in December, Ryan may have to move back in with her mother if employment in the nonprofit sector does not materialize.
Nevertheless, her resolve persists as she articulates, “I understand my worth and have diligently aimed for this point. My aspirations remain steadfast, and I’ll continue my pursuit.”
Source link: Whec.com.
