Do young adults in the UK not want to work?

Skrib69

What I learned starting at 16 when looking for jobs...

1. Spell correctly
2. Present all experiences in a positive light (even the negative jobs and the *kitten* bosses)
3. Dress correctly. These are acceptable for entry level jobs nice slacks and buttoned or polo shirt for men, a below the knee dress or skirt for women or nice slacks with a understated blouse. Upper level dress for the job.
4. Smile and if you can make the interviewer laugh or share some empathy you might just land the job.
5. There is no such thing as a bad interview. Every interview teaches you something for the next interview. Learn from it all.
6. Plaster the town with your resume (or internet now day)
7. Have all your information ready when filling out applications (work history, references, education ect.)
8. WE ALL HAVE TO TAKE CRAPPY JOBS!
9. Crappy jobs build experience
10. Each experience builds onto the next job where you can climb higher.
11. Education is the key if you want the real doors to open
12. Paper gets you the interview, and experience is what gets you the job
13. Dont burn bridges (I know this sometimes has to happen, but the more bridges and connections you have the better)
14. Remember everyone you work with is a future job reference
15. Play the stupid game
16. If you hate the game, play the stupid game
17. It's just work
18. Do your job
19. Show up and show up on time (no extra interview points for showing up more than 10minutes early)
20. Relax, but show your future employer how enthusiastic you are to be working for them

Very good advice, IMO. I especially agree with #19. Rule of thumb is between 5-10 minutes, NO earlier. At my current workplace it makes everyone kind of edgy and uncomfortable when interviewees show up any earlier.

At last!!! Some common sense in this thread!!! It seems to have been largely overlooked that unemployment in the young is stupidly high (I think it is somewhere around 40-50%) so there is a lot of competition! If they want a job, they have to do something to work for it, not whinge about what they can't do!

ieshamhc93

I'm a 20 year old university student
I've been applying for jobs for a year and keep getting the same thing back. "Sorry you do not have enough experience".
I apply for everything. Call centres, cleaning, care work, agency, supermarkets, cafes etc and have had nothing back. The closest I have been to a job was last week as a receptionist but the woman decided she wasn't leaving so there was no position available to me.

We are not ALL lazy. But I do understand your point.

Skrib69

So this person has worked hard and build up a small business and is now able to offer someone a job, and she gets a load of **** of people. Lovely.

I don't agree with the exploitation of others for financial gain.... making someone else live on the minimum wage so you can fund the enormous mortgage on your tasteless 4-bed detached in some snotty village, your golf club membership, BMW and holidays abroad? Well one HAS to keep up with the neighbours, after all... Nah. Immoral.

I say STICK IT to the man.

Wow. Running a business and offering an income to others is now immoral exploitation? Just wow... :huh:

Have you ever considered you folk can only afford to say "stick it" because the rest of us have to pay for that?

I see you have nicely avoided my point about surplus value......

You are beginning to annoy me with your thoughts here. You farm sheep to generate a surplus value! I bet the lambs feel exploited for your financial gain! What makes you any different form OP???

hannahpistolas

I'll come to work for you!

I've been working since I was 16, out on my own since I was 18, and in an office job by 19.

Hildy_J

You are beginning to annoy me with your thoughts here. You farm sheep to generate a surplus value! I bet the lambs feel exploited for your financial gain! What makes you any different form OP???

*puts hand up*

Is the answer that he's not exploiting his own species?

MeanderingMammal

The information I gave to the agency was along the lines of

That we are a small but progressive business and are looking for a young adult to fill a new vacancy. The job entails working alongside a qualified engineer who will act as a mentor in (the trade, I am adding this as I do not want to disclose the business) There is room to progress with fully paid courses, accommodation and salary whilst undertaking courses.

There are possibilities to take an HND in Engineering with support from the employer

The employer will fund the successful candidate through a driving course in order that they will have access to a company vehicle. You will be required to wear a uniform, supplied by the company.

You would be expected to meet customers and suppliers.

Payment is £5.80 per hour for a 39 hour week for under 21 years of age. Incentives and bonuses for on target work is available.

No qualifications required. A good work ethic, presentation and time keeping are very important

And did you approve the marketing material that went out?

traveller7

I havent read through all this thread but I would give my back teeth for a job right now! If I cant make an interview I always let them know and have had it rearranged in the past there is no excuse for bad manners.

"If a young person wants a job and to get off a life of benefits there are advisers at job centres where they go to look for jobs. They can go on courses to help with CV`s and form filling. They can get help with practice interviews. "

The original poster said this: ^^^^
I have been on benefits for nearly 3 years (although 18 months of that I was on sick benefit unable to worK). My jobcentre is as much use as a chocolate teapot. As I have a degree, a diploma, and experience in customer service and computer skills I am not deemed the right candidate for any free courses, or help in further training.They helped me with my CV after 2 years on their case, and have never once helped me get an interview or help me with interview skills. All interviews I have got are through my own applications through my own internet searching, all jobs I have found through their new 'universal job match' and applied for never got a response from. Its disheartening and I hate being on benefits but we all get tarred with same brush esp with all these benefit programmes on about cheats and lazy people. Not all benefit claimers are the same, I apply every day for jobs and still getting nowhere.
Its hard so in reference to the original post I would gladly have turned up for interview, early and dressed to impress.

Skrib69

The interviews have been set up by the job agency.

I think you need to sack the agency, or going back to my earlier, review the package that you're offering.

You are assuming that the package on offer is not competitive with similar positions in other companies. Why on earth would a business person offer over the odds for a position when they don't need to? It is just shooting yourself in the foot!

Edited for typos

MsPudding

Sweetie, I not only got an education but I've been teaching young adults for the past 25 years.

Are these the same youngsters who all the political parties (apart from The Socialist Workers Party...but they're a joke anyway) are getting increasingly worried are being turned out of school lacking the basic skills for employment?

MeanderingMammal

The interviews have been set up by the job agency.

I think you need to sack the agency, or going back to my earlier, review the package that you're offering.

You are assuming that the package on offer is not competitive with similar positions in other co anise. Why on earth would a business person offer over the odds for a position when they don't need to? It is just shooting yourself in the foot!

Point I'd made upthread, if the marketing isn't attracting appropriate candidates then it's not attractive. Now having seen the brief to the resourcing agency there are a number of weaknesses in the package that would make it quite unattractive. There are a few points in the brief that mean that it couldn't have just been topped and tailed before going out to market, so the agency are working with a weak opportunity, and they're not getting the right candidates.

If it's not attractive, what can one do to make it attractive?

twinketta

With all due respect, OP, have you considered that's in not "work in general" that they are rejecting, but simply THIS JOB that you are trying to fill? Perhaps your disgust and revulsion with their generation was apparent to them in your tone when you were communicating with them to set up the interviews? Perhaps your demeanor was oppressive enough to them to change their mind about wanting to come and be a part of that environment for any cost?

I'm really not trying to insult you, and I apologize if you take offense. But a lot of times people with jobs to offer put across the idea that they are doing the worker a huge favor by ALLOWING them to come and work for **** wages in a job they hate for someone who doesn't understand how to treat subordinates with care and respect. Sometimes that attitude of "I'm doing you a favor merely by hiring you" comes across in the first exchange or two and prospective hires figure, "Why bother?" As if the wages and stress weren't hard enough, why add a boss who is demeaning and considers themselves a benefactor to the list of job stresses?

You can get a bunch more people to show up in full regalia if the wages and benefits are high enough to offset the BS potential, but if a person is facing low wages AND being treated poorly, they often won't feel like the situation is tenable.

The comments made on this string alone seem sort of innocuous if you were talking to a roomful of people who were none affected by your judgements, but when the same attitude is conveyed toward the subjects of your disdain, they might simply be exercising their freedom to choose a job working for someone who gives them the respect and dignity they deserve.

And sometimes, people's lives get in the way. You don't know how many of those people had problems that landed them in the hospital, or their phones got cut off or their boyfriend beat them up. You have no idea and no apparent interest in considering other factors. You might say, "But for so many? That's too much of a coincidence!" And I would agree with you.

There's obviously something more going on. And it's not just fate that so many would apply for a job and then not show up after the initial communication with the new boss. Maybe ... ?

^this

Really?

OMG? With all due respect, I do take offence at this load of BS.

Have you or the person you have quoted taken time to read through the posts I have made?

I do not want this topic to fall into being closed by the mods as I have read all the replies and take on board all the feedback.

When has it been suggested that the person would be treated poorly, with no respect or dignity?

Please tell me what is your ideal job, and what it would entail?

Skrib69

You are beginning to annoy me with your thoughts here. You farm sheep to generate a surplus value! I bet the lambs feel exploited for your financial gain! What makes you any different form OP???

*puts hand up*

Is the answer that he's not exploiting his own species?

Once again you are missing the point in favour of sarcasm, as you have consistently done throughout this thread. Businesses have to generate a profit to grow and employ more people. Hiring people has to be carefully budgeted for. OP has already clearly demonstrated that she is not creaming of the profits and living it up in somewhere exotic. The package outlined above represents a serious opportunity for someone who wants it, with a significant investment from the company to make it happen. Anyone who is serious about getting a job should be able to see that, but if people won't even turn up for the interview they will never know.

Hildy_J

Sweetie, I not only got an education but I've been teaching young adults for the past 25 years.

Are these the same youngsters who all the political parties (apart from The Socialist Workers Party...but they're a joke anyway) are getting increasingly worried are being turned out of school lacking the basic skills for employment?

I'm afraid so - well it is in the case of the kids I've been teaching for the last few years, anyway. I teach in behavioural units for young adults with emotional, behavioural and social disorders. Their job prospects are very, very poor. Before that special needs (poor job prospects esp.now council budgets cut). 'Difficult' schools in socially deprived areas... job prospects not great.

All the way up to 'good' schools in middle class areas, they were pretty safe at one time. Even these students are struggling now... everyone's got a degree and we're in a worldwide recession. If you throw a breadroll at the staff in McDonalds' you'll most likely hit a graduate.

twinketta

I'm a 20 year old university student
I've been applying for jobs for a year and keep getting the same thing back. "Sorry you do not have enough experience".
I apply for everything. Call centres, cleaning, care work, agency, supermarkets, cafes etc and have had nothing back. The closest I have been to a job was last week as a receptionist but the woman decided she wasn't leaving so there was no position available to me.

We are not ALL lazy. But I do understand your point.

I have never suggested that young adults are lazy..and I applaud you for keeping on looking for work.

As I have said before I have 2 sons and it took a lot of CV`s and applications before they got work..


Just keep trying and I am sure you will find a job that suits you x

twinketta

I'll come to work for you!

I've been working since I was 16, out on my own since I was 18, and in an office job by 19.

All credit to you Hannah x well done

Lifelink

I'm a 20 year old university student
I've been applying for jobs for a year and keep getting the same thing back. "Sorry you do not have enough experience".
I apply for everything. Call centres, cleaning, care work, agency, supermarkets, cafes etc and have had nothing back. The closest I have been to a job was last week as a receptionist but the woman decided she wasn't leaving so there was no position available to me.

We are not ALL lazy. But I do understand your point.

Welcome to America. Ohio to be more specific.

geebusuk

From the initialI actually had to make sure you weren't at the company I've been working at (I'm contracting on a different area to the vacancies.)

Very similar experiences from what I've seen.
They have quite a few positions open. It's not the best job in the world, but it does pay a bit over adult minimum wage (which to my mind allows pretty generous living all in, even more so when you consider extra benefits etc) and a good chunk over that 'OTE' Oh and working times are flexible and the part time roles would suit students and possibly parents etc (full time also offered), they can be flexible if people are working or learning on specific days.

Many don't turn up. Some late. Some turn up looking a bit scruffy.
They don't really think about the job they are doing or how they can be good at it before hand.
They don't try and impress.
This company stopped using the job centre for recruiting because there was an even higher number of time wasters.

When I broke both my leg and mashed my body up in a motorbike racing accident which saw my friends watching think me dead it was that bad, despite being given Ketamine and Morphine I managed to call up work and explain I wasn't going to be in the next day, despite only having some one piece motorbike leathers, boxers and a t-shirt.
It's not hard to get in contact if there's a problem. If there's the incredibly rare real genuine case you somehow can't contact the company despite your best plans (highly unlikely if they were good plans), contact as soon as possible.
Oddly enough, none of the people that didn't turn up did this.

On my broken leg - while the company was generous with sick pay (before that I'd taken 5 days in as many years I think), I was back to work on crutches. This didn't make it look so good for the new girl who had loads of time off for various reasons. She was then off with a sprained ankle, though was mobile enough while she was convalescing to go to the hairdressers during a weekday. Despite after being told at the end of her 3 month probation that she hadn't been in the office long to actually judge her, so it was extended... she took more time off for questionable reasons and didn't get another extension.

If anyone around the Gillingham area in Kent is looking for a job and is prepared to put a little effort in to following instructions, give me a shout and I'll pass your details on - they've got a total of ten positions to fill with a new department set up.

As for the comments about rich business owners...
I saw a good explanation.. .CEO and founder gets £250k.
How can he justify that when the people at the bottom are on minimum wage and may have as big families to feed?
He has 500 people employed by him in total. So each person basically has to 'earn' £10 per week for the CEO.
Is it really that bad a price for someone to earn the person that gave them and 499 other people the opportunity to take home.

If you can get a better job elsewhere - go for it.
If you can do better at making a business which employs people, pays them better and does as good a job - even better.
Otherwise, I'd say there's no good right to complain. (With some caveats - some working practices are pretty underhand, I won't deny.)

And, to carry on ranting - it'd be great to have a job that was enjoyable all the time. Some I've done aren't any of the time really and I've kept doing them - why? Because they pay me money, which lets me do other things I like.
There's no excuse for anyone in the UK to not have the basics covered thanks to a pretty generous benefits system.
Unfortunately people feel they're entitled to a lot for doing very little.

Today I work up early at about 8, - about an hour's work before going in, then worked 9:45-8 with maybe 40 mins lunch break (which they needed the space to do interviews - today was the absolute best day I've seen, with only once cancellation and that was called ahead - average is about 50% not contacting at all, despite a reasonable length phone interview before. If nothing else, it's silly to burn bridges - that business owner might be friends with another business owner who you're applying for a job that you'd really like to do.
I'm going to carry on finishing stuff off in a minute - why? To start with, I get paid hourly and money is useful to me.

For many people benefits ARE a lifestyle choice.
If you haven't met these people - lucky for you!

twinketta

I havent read through all this thread but I would give my back teeth for a job right now! If I cant make an interview I always let them know and have had it rearranged in the past there is no excuse for bad manners.

"If a young person wants a job and to get off a life of benefits there are advisers at job centres where they go to look for jobs. They can go on courses to help with CV`s and form filling. They can get help with practice interviews. "

The original poster said this: ^^^^
I have been on benefits for nearly 3 years (although 18 months of that I was on sick benefit unable to worK). My jobcentre is as much use as a chocolate teapot. As I have a degree, a diploma, and experience in customer service and computer skills I am not deemed the right candidate for any free courses, or help in further training.They helped me with my CV after 2 years on their case, and have never once helped me get an interview or help me with interview skills. All interviews I have got are through my own applications through my own internet searching, all jobs I have found through their new 'universal job match' and applied for never got a response from. Its disheartening and I hate being on benefits but we all get tarred with same brush esp with all these benefit programmes on about cheats and lazy people. Not all benefit claimers are the same, I apply every day for jobs and still getting nowhere.
Its hard so in reference to the original post I would gladly have turned up for interview, early and dressed to impress.

I feel so bad for people such as yourself that are let down by the same system that is supposed to help people into work. Keep at it, somewhere there is a job with your name on it.

My youngest son he is 26, has just started in a good job, he sent the same CV out to 100`s of places..it only takes that one person to ask you for an interview and take you on x

TheRealParisLove

I used to work in HR. My first question is how are you advertizing the job? I don't mean just where you placed the ads but what you are doing to get the attention of qualified people?

It is possible to find the right people, but you will need to use networking channels and new technology to find the person you want. Using a shotgun method (like craigslist) is not going to get the attention of quality applicants. Any of the big online job boards are going get you keyboard warriors, and not the real go-getters in the job market.

I would start by asking your best customers if they would be interested in a job. If you have a store front, put up a "Help Wanted" sign. If you are an online business, use your social media channels to advertise the job opening. Put an update on your website and in your email newsletter that you are looking for new team members. Try to get word out to your competition that you are growing and looking for new employees. You may be able to steal away some of their people (who are already educated in your industry, thereby reducing the costs of getting your new hire up to speed).

Good luck, and I hope you find just the right person for the job!

Becoming_A_Butterfly

Also, the OP never stated what the job was only it was something paying just above national wage. Depending on the line of work, the hours offered, and the position of those attending for interview, they may not felt it necessary to wear suits/dressy trousers, to phone if not attending etc (I am talking about casual shop work or something similar).

You cannot make such sweeping statements like that based on such bias. I wouldn't want to work for an employer like that.

No matter what job I have applied for, be it the fast food and pizza joints or retail jobs in high school and college, or the professional level jobs in my adulthood, I have dressed nicely and with the recognition that I am being asking to be considered for a job, not coming over for a BBQ.