The job market is going through a cooling period and finding a job can feel even more challenging, especially for younger Americans. There are many reasons why landing your first job may feel tougher than expected.
Today’s Job Market
National job openings are falling. While still strong, the job market is slowing down compared to the past few years. This means competition for positions is stronger, making it more challenging to secure entry-level positions.
Fluctuations in the Market
The past few years have seen many changes in the market. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies paused their hiring process, causing a rift in the job market. As the economy started to recover, there was an increased demand for labor. Now, a few years post-pandemic, the market has started to even out.
More Applicants, Fewer Jobs
With fewer available positions, there are now more applicants than there are job openings. This coupled with the rising number of people who hold college degrees means that competition is fierce and it’s even harder to stand out.
The Experience Dilemma
If you’ve applied for a job recently, you may have noticed that most jobs require relevant experience. This can be especially frustrating for new graduates who don’t have the experience to get a job that will help them get experience…it can feel like a catch-22.
Don’t Blink: A Changing Market
The job market is always evolving with the emergence of new technologies and industries. Staying on top of the latest changes and trends can be challenging, but it is often necessary to remain competitive.
Employer Expectations
The employers of today’s markets have high expectations. They often want their applicants to have a mix of skills, experience, and personality traits that fit their company culture.
The Power of Networking
While many turn to job-hunting platforms for their searches, jobs nowadays are often filled through networking rather than online. This can be a huge disadvantage for those who don’t have a strong professional network going into their job search.
The Gig Economy
Many people are choosing freelance and gig work over traditional full-time jobs. This can mean fewer traditional job openings are available. While gig work can be advantageous for those seeking flexibility, it doesn’t always offer the stability of a full-time job.
Changes in AI
Many are concerned about the impact of AI on jobs. AI is changing the job landscape by taking over some tasks that were once done by humans. This can lead to fewer entry-level jobs in specific industries.
Importance of Soft Skills
Technical skills are important, but employers also look for soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Emphasizing these skills in your past experiences and projects may help you to stand out.
Geographic Limitations
Job opportunities may be limited depending on where you live. While COVID-19 changed the working atmosphere by introducing remote work as a common benefit, this is not always a possible solution.
The Unpaid Internship
Some companies prefer to hire interns to full-time employees. This brings up the difficulty of the unpaid internship, which can be advantageous to getting experience but not a feasible option for those who need income in order to support themselves.
Are you Overqualified?
Sometimes, having too much education or experience can be a disadvantage. Employers may be concerned that you’ll expect a higher salary or leave the company as soon as a better opportunity comes along.
Unclear Career Paths
While some career paths have straightforward directions, many do not. Some fields require years of experience or unpaid internships, which can be discouraging and financially challenging.
Economic Uncertainty
Companies are often cautious about hiring new people during times of economic uncertainty. This can lead to hiring freezes or layoffs, making it harder to find stable employment.
The Hiring Process
Sometimes even the hiring process itself can be discouraging. Often requiring rounds of interviews, testing, or sample trials, the process of getting a job can take months or even up to a year, which leaves job searchers feeling lost.
Your Online Presence
In today’s job market, personal branding is important. Employers often look at your online presence, including your social media profiles, to get a sense of who you are outside of your resume.
Age Discrimination
Despite being illegal, age discrimination can still happen. Younger applicants might be overlooked because employers assume that they lack the maturity or experience required for the job.
College Debt
The rising cost of education means that students are graduating with even higher levels of debt. This financial burden can mean applicants must take any job rather than the right job, or sacrifice their passion for a higher-paying career path.
Job Application Burnout
The stress of job hunting, especially when you’re unemployed, can take a toll on your mental health. Self-care is often an important part of avoiding the burnout of trying to find the right job.
Persistence is Key
Keep updating and perfecting your resume, improving your skills, and networking with the right people. Eventually, the right opportunity will come your way.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Luna Vandoorne.
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.