Whats one advise you would give a young person looking for work in the uk?
Posted by kfcstew@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 21 comments
I am curious and wanted to know because of the current news and the new issues young people face today such ss housing instability or even unstable jobs.
Its a hard time out there for everyone which i had my fair shares of it but i am just wondering if you were younger what would you do? Or if you are a young person any advise you would give would work too
Frosty_Leg4438@reddit
My biggest advice is to go back to the basics of how "earning money" traditionally worked.
- You pick a subject matter you are capable of and either have an interest in and/or a dedication to gain knowledge in it AND it is a marketable subject/people will pay money for it.
- You get a "job" in it and learn more through this job, building your abilities.
- You become a "specialist" in that skill over time, so you can work less (as you get older) for more money.
- You constantly monitor the horizon for shifts (AI etc) so you can pivot early (if needed) if your precise specialism becomes less marketable (people won't pay for it), to something related.
This is how "trades" have worked for centuries and I think we've lost our connection to this (particularly the importance of specialising later in your career), with an assumption "generally good at stuff" will always be a skill people will pay for.
charlottedoo@reddit
It’s hard to get a job you’d like to do, but if you get the chance to do a job which isn’t for you take it anyway. Get paid while looking for that good job, just take the bad first to get some money and experience.
RelationshipLife6739@reddit
Literally this. I’m a 23 YO coming out of uni with two degrees, 2 years of commercial software development experience, 3 years of IT service delivery and my own startup I’ve been building for the past 2 years and i haven’t had a single interview in the last 4 months. At this point I have started to apply to cleaning jobs, retail jobs etc cos I just need a job so badly at this point I’m willing to do fucking anything. Every single job I apply to has like 400 applicants and the market is just so saturated with talent and 0 demand for it.
ac0rn5@reddit
And even if it's a job you dislike, it's wise to 'do your best' so you get a good reference.
You can also use that experience in an interview later on.
genxerrr@reddit
Get skilled up. Without a skill you'll just be another unskilled worker and there are millions of those.
Away-Opposite919@reddit
Its easier to get a job when you have a job, many young people get hooked on the idea of dream job or doing a job they went to university for. This isn't how life is, unfortunately, so take any job you're willing to do.
Also, when looking for jobs, most of the time, ignore the titles. We have a bad habit of naming careers in an exaggerated way. "Refuse Handling Specialist" = "Bin man" So look at the pay scale for an idea if it's entry levels employment or not.
Sometimes, it says you need all kinds of qualifications and experience.. Apply anyway, HR do this to deter people from applying too much, and they prefer people with brass balls just going for it.
Scooob-e-dooo8158@reddit
Ask yourself
"Can this job be done by robots or AI?"
If the answer is yes, try and study for a career in a field that robotics and AI would struggle with. That's what I would do. Thank God I'm retired and have it all behind me. I can remember the good old days when a job for life was still a thing. Good luck.
NotoriousP_U_G@reddit
I have hired literally hundreds of people of the past 5 years. The number one piece of advice is:
One CV and cover letter tailored for the job and requirements is worth 100 generic ‘easy apply’ applications
she_is_a_parsnip@reddit
I’m also a hiring manager (not the main one) - they NEVER read the cover letter. It annoys me
Because everyone is told to tailor the cover letter and work on it …
Sszaj@reddit
Don't work without a contract that you have read and signed before you start work.
Avoid hospitality work wherever possible.
Don't work for small companies where the owner/manager is HR.
Don't work for cash, it's never in your best interest.
Learn your rights as an employee.
TraditionalRip7446@reddit
It’s a real struggle out there, but don’t give up, keep exploring and learning new skills. Work in an industry you genuinely enjoy.
Don’t be scared to try, don’t be scared to fail.. take a leap of faith.
she_is_a_parsnip@reddit
In a world of AI and everyone’s CV looks and sounds the same (seriously. The same phrases, the same fake experience), learn to sound human to stand out a little.
Of course use AI, it’s part of our world now, but don’t forget the ‘standing out’ part.
_Hoping_For_Better_@reddit
When you get an interview, or if you are dropping in on places, look happy even if you are not feeling it. Come across as a nice person to work with. We've certainly weighted that heavily in the last few hires after having some technically good but very negative people before.
Annual-Rip4687@reddit
Remember, HR work for the company, not you.
BuildingControlUK@reddit
A degree apprenticeship. It’s a no brainer. Especially one which offers chartership and guaranteed employment
ReySpacefighter@reddit
Some advice. You can't have one advice, and advise is the verb.
ContextRules@reddit
Significant work needs to be put into an application. The wording on your CV needs to match the language of the job description. Point for point. Easy apply and mass applications just dont typically work at all. Employers (the ones I work with anyway) want to know why you want to work for them specifically. Quality applications over quantity.
RedditMrJay@reddit
So.. apart from general career stuff, stay in school & study, etc. etc. i would advise for your first ever job, go into the place of work with your CV, ask to speak to the manager and actually introduce yourself, ask for a 5 min chat, get your name and face in front of them.
CV's from 16-18 year olds are usually the same, average grades, little work experience, basic. Don't sell yourself short to someone who has experience wehn you can prove (hopefully!) that you are a good communicator and made the effort rather than a low effort email + covering letter.
Demiboy94@reddit
Look into apprenticeships. And definitely look into volunteering- something to pad out your cv and make it look like you're making am effort. Even a supermarket or pub job (including pt) is better than nothing. Easier to get a better job if you're already employed
kfcstew@reddit (OP)
Apologies for my terrible spelling i am very tired and havent slept since yesterday night
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