Title: ‘I’ve submitted over 400 applications’ – The reality of the job crisis for youth

Experts are increasingly warning of a "lost generation," as more than one million individuals under the age of 24 find themselves in a state of limbo, lacking both employment and access to training programs that could facilitate their career entry. To understand the human impact of this statistic, we spoke with five young people currently navigating these difficult circumstances.

Rebuilding Confidence After Rejection

Zaynah, 24, reports that she has submitted applications for over 200 positions since completing her college education a year ago, receiving no response from any employer. To combat the isolation and build her self-assurance, she has enrolled in Spear, a six-week charitable initiative.

Zaynah explains that her previous health condition, eczema, had hindered her ability to pursue her passion for nail art, though she always intended to work in makeup. Currently, she is targeting roles in makeup and retail beauty.

"I had no prior work experience and lacked confidence," Zaynah admitted. "I was an extremely shy person who didn’t know how to initiate conversations or find things to talk about. I believe my lack of experience has been a barrier to getting hired, and I suspect many of my peers are held back because they are unsure of their career direction."

However, she notes a significant positive shift: "I can now hold conversations much better. I feel a big difference in my confidence levels compared to before."

The Frustration of the Application Process

Luke, 23, a product design graduate from Central St Martin’s University, has faced rejection after applying to more than 400 jobs. He describes the hiring process as "vile," citing redundant online forms that require applicants to input the same information multiple times.

"The system forces you to redo everything from scratch," Luke said. "A university graduate naturally assumes they are qualified for entry-level positions, but many companies lack the funds or have used AI to automate roles."

The constant rejections have taken a toll on his mental health. "It is humiliating and deeply depressing," he stated. "It feels like everything I have achieved is rendered useless. It is a Catch-22: I am not experienced enough for the jobs I want, yet I am considered overqualified for basic roles like shelf-stacking."

Luke has experienced rejection for various positions, including cleaning, barista, hotel receptionist, and restaurant waiter roles. He mentioned securing only one interview for a janitorial position, after which he never heard back. He began claiming Universal Credit in March of the previous year, describing visits to job centers as disheartening experiences that reinforced feelings of rejection.

Finding Purpose Through Creativity

For 18-year-old Tarun, the job hunt was interrupted by a family tragedy. He traveled to India following the death of his grandmother, which forced him to leave his plumbing Level 2 course.

"Upon returning, I felt lost and trapped in a loop," Tarun recalled. "I spent a year trying to find work and education, but every opportunity required experience I didn’t have."

With no external support system to provide motivation, Tarun turned to art for solace. "I started writing songs and rapping to entertain myself," he said. "That creative outlet really helped me get through it."

The Threat of a Minimum Wage Trap

Eloise, 24, holds both a first-class undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in English and creative writing, yet she has been unable to secure work in her field. She told BBC’s Your Voice that she has been forced into the hospitality sector.

"Despite my volunteering, work experience, and academic qualifications, I have had four [rejections/interviews—text cuts off]," she said, highlighting the risk of being stuck in a cycle of minimum-wage employment despite her high level of education.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-28 15:56:03 UTC