Multiple young adults are experiencing significant difficulties navigating the employment landscape, facing repeated rejections and extended periods without work despite varying qualifications and prior experience.
Celeste, 24, graduated from the University of Edinburgh last year and spent two months submitting applications for over 100 positions, predominantly in the hospitality sector, without success. She subsequently secured full-time work at a cafe, but the high-pressure environment and long hours contributed to a health decline. She eventually left the role and relocated to her parents’ home in Dorset. She is currently awaiting a formal diagnosis for ME/chronic fatigue syndrome, which she attributes partly to prolonged stress from her jobseeking experience. Her application for personal independence payment has been rejected, and she is dependent on family support while navigating her condition and exploring potential employment options.
Lenny, 26, has been unemployed for three years following a two-year stint as a customer assistant at a DIY retailer, which he left due to mental health concerns. He has applied for approximately 30 to 40 positions across various sectors including warehouse work, delivery driving, and retail. He describes the contemporary job market as heavily digitalized, removing the personal touch of in-person applications. He has experimented with agency work but notes inconsistencies in placement opportunities. He characterizes the overall job market as unpredictable, questioning the viability of securing employment despite submitting numerous applications.
Frances, 25, holds a master’s degree from the Courtauld Institute of Art and has pursued volunteer work in cultural institutions and as a tour guide for two years, alongside shift work during university and cleaning jobs. Despite her qualifications and experience, she has been unable to secure employment in her preferred museum, gallery, or charity sectors, nor has she succeeded in obtaining seasonal hospitality positions. She recently began receiving universal credit and reports feeling guilt and despair regarding her situation.
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