People describe a mix of structural problems and personal frustration. Several mention that advertised roles often require experience few young people can get, while others say networking and referrals matter more than applications. Some argue young people should create opportunities through side hustles and skills; others push back that this ignores the lack of capital and stable income.
Replies worth reading
“I applied to more than 80 jobs in one year. Most never replied. The few interviews I got came through someone I knew, not through the portal.”
Why it matters: a concrete example of how referrals outperform formal applications.
“The problem is not that young people are lazy. The problem is that many entry-level jobs now ask for two or three years of experience.”
Why it matters: reframes the debate from personal effort to hiring requirements.
“Some employers use open positions to collect applications even when they already have an internal candidate. That makes the process look open when it is not.”
Why it matters: a claim worth verifying — treat it as an allegation, not a proven fact.
“Side hustles are not a solution for everyone. You need capital, connections and time. Telling people to ‘hustle harder’ ignores that.”
Why it matters: pushes back on individual-responsibility answers.
“What worked for me was volunteering first, then using the references I got to move into a paid role. It took almost two years.”
Why it matters: a practical path — with a realistic timeline attached.
Main perspectives
Structural barriers
Experience requirements, closed recruitment processes and the outsized role of referrals.
Individual effort
Skills, volunteering and side hustles — with an acknowledgment that not everyone starts from the same place.