Teens Depressed Over Poor Job Prospects

One in four teenagers are "depressed" about their job prospects, researchers have claimed.

Almost half of the 1,500 young people questioned in an O2 Youth Matters survey said they were not confident of finding a secure job in the next five years.

Among them is Daniel Anynwu, 17, from Pimlico in central London. He has lost count of the number of jobs he has applied for since leaving school. He told Sky News: "Basically I have tried and tried over the past few years and it has all come to nothing. I have to stay motivated, sometime I won't get rejected, but right now I am getting rejected - we are getting rejected, I should say."

The research also found that 82% of young people believe that celebrity culture creates unachievable role models, a concept that can add to low self-esteem.


Young people are depressed about their long term job prospects

Sociologist Tony Chapman is alarmed by the research and told Sky: "It is a warning shot to society, showing that steps must be taken to build the resilience of our young people."

But employers insist young people need to toughen up if they are to find the right job in what has become a highly competitive marketplace. Tesco now has on average 20 applicants for every job they advertise. The retailer's director of personnel Judith Nelson believes they can afford to be very selective. She said: "People can stand out who have got a can-do attitude, people who have got great inter-personal skills, people who like working with customers and who like working as part of a team."

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16044118

Add to these qualities common sense and I'd agree

It can't be easy for teenagers. I'd encourage anyone looking for work to get as much interview advice and help with their CV's as possible. Always ask for feedback after each interview and take as much as possible from it, positive or negative.

Be prepared to adapt, to gain experience by doing voluntary work, by offering to help out local businesses, charities. Jobs don't tend to arrive on a plate unfortunately, not in the current economic climate