To wonder what the job market like realistically right now

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I am in employment myself so not sure what it is actually like at present - my 19yo is looking. There seems to be a lot of jobs advertised but are there just 5 times as many people looking too? I don’t know what she’s up against to be honest. We are in the SE

It seems to be pretty brutal - short phone interviews that she spends ages preparing for (some last less than 5 mins!) and then either never hearing again or saying no - can you really judge someones character and skills from 5 mins on the phone? I’ve heard her, she’s trying they barely ask her anything.

She’s applying for min wage hospitality or retail, they seem to come across as pretty inflexible and looking for a much higher level of experience. So they can afford to be fussy? Her CV is as good as a young persons could be really, she has 2 years experience in hospitality and her qualifications are ok (GCSE and a BTEC). She can’t afford to stay at her current job as only 1 shift a week available so she’s been looking at 20 hours +. She can’t drive yet as lockdown put a stop to learning but she has a test booked. Despite this she’s more than happy to get herself places

I just am not sure what they are looking for - a 19 year old who can start the same day, has no other commitments, is flexible and been employed for 2 years is not a good fit to work in a shop or cafe?

Is she available evenings and week-ends?

She’s applying for anything, any shift pattern but no point going for a Saturday job, she needs more hours than that.

She’s going to do a part time course in September, staying local and remote learning (so in her own time) she’s not going to uni or moving away and will try to fit study round a job.

Has she looked into warehouse work? There is a huge candidate shortage across the country at the moment.

I am hearing different things. One that hospitality jobs are very easy to get right now but on the other scale, like you say, there are hundreds of people going for the same role.
One of my DD's has only been able to get casual work and has managed to get work as a kids camp instructor for the summer. She doesn't really want that but those jobs are definitely plentiful right now.
Best of luck to you both. Know how hard it is.

There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of warehouse work, it’s mostly retail and hospitality here. A high street chain restaurant offered her an interview next week then this morning sent an email saying ‘sorry this is for permanent staff only’ rescinding it without even asking her if she was leaving for uni! She emailed them straight back

I’m not in the SE, but hospitality where I am is crying out for workers - and the news seems to think the same is true in most places. They don’t necessarily want experience, but a willingness to learn, flexibility about shift times and a friendly manner; and she should be able to find something!

Is she telling people she’s looking for a summer job? They may be misconstruing that. I’d be tempted to not mention any hours change in September until further down the line when she knows what she’ll actually need off; and she has some experience.

No she’s not applying for any summer jobs - also the intentions is to study around work and try to find a balance but it’s a part time course anyway. I’ve told her not to mention it anymore as it’s putting people off but this restaurant she never told them and they just used it as an excuse

Perhaps try your local fb group.

I occasionally see jobs advertised on there.

Where are you? If south east Kent were desperate for contact centre workers! Literally cant get enough! It’s not cold calling it’s customer care. We hire people and they don’t turn up!! Covid safe lovely building with views and onsite restaurant too!

All the hotels and pubs around here are desperate for staff, they lost a lot due to Brexit.

I’m not in SE my 19 year old was waiting for his actual career plans to come in to fruition as recruitment is on hold for his chosen dream career. So he applied for anything and everything. He was a bit like your DD he had experience working in hospitality when in sixth form.

He got a job quickly, it’s a really unsociable time though for many as form 9pm to 3am sort of time working for a freight company at an airport. He can drive though so I appreciate that makes it much easier. Would she consider working in residential care? My friend works as a teatime cook in a residential home. As your DD has food experience especially if she has any food hygiene certificates it may be worth a look.

We are near Stansted airport. I can’t believe how many jobs she has applied for so far in the past couple of months and not one single offer
I’m not sure if she’s doing anything wrong or the not driving

She probably isn’t a good fit for caring as she is afraid of blood

That's so strange. Hospitality is crying out for staff at the moment. I'm working in one of my cafes right now as I can't find staff!

Is she applying for casual roles? I don't mean to sound rude but maybe she's saying something in interviews that's not coming across well?

Is your girl getting universal credit as if so she should have a work coach at the job centre seeing her weekly and then she will access to kickstart jobs which at least will get her experience and mentoring.

Also, have you looked at any of her applications before she sends them? Check her spelling and grammar. She needs to make sure she's not sending the exact same cv to all jobs but tailoring them for the specific job descriptions focusing on the skills.

My 19 year old is looking for work also , he did warehouse work over lockdown as it was literally the first job he got offered ( also has good gcse and a level grades ) unfortunately the company moved so he is looking again.
We’re finding most jobs require experience and the few apprenticeships he has applied for he really struggles to answer the questions as they seem to want him to draw on experience he doesn’t have .
We’re not seeing many hospitality jobs advertised though when I’m reading that the y can’t get staff.
He had an interview booked for Friday for an office junior job which has been put back , so fingers crossed this goes ahead and something comes of it .
Does seem like in the last couple of weeks there has been a bit more out there.

Massive shortages in manufacturing, hospitality, warehouses etc. We’d take anyone with a pulse right now

She doesn’t want to claim UC and is put off by apprenticeships - no guaranteed job at the end, low pay etc, she couldn’t find one to fit in with her education (the BTEC she finished) especially when you could maybe earn £9-£10 an hour at some of the other jobs advertised (and chance of overtime) she wants to save up for a car. I will talk to her about that - as she doesn’t drive, the job centre is absolutely bloody miles away and if she had to go in she would struggle

Long term plan is to work doing anything, and study part time for 1 year and hopefully can then get a job in the specific area she wants

She might not be good in the interviews I agree I will do some more practice with her

She had an interview with agency who places people at the airport in shops/restaurants. She prepared for days and practiced loads. Day of interview came. I could hear her, guy asked her nothing about herself and it was over in 5 mins and they declined her saying not enough experience. She was friendly and keen and really trying hard, I think these companies just rushing and poor interview vetting - she got an interview based on her CV, so it’s not that

I’m as puzzled as you. I keep hearing all sorts of places are crying out for staff but our local job centre is queued out the door all day and the young people I know can’t find a role anywhere.

I meant more working in the kitchen of a residential home.

She should claim UC for national insurance purposes. DS didn’t want to and resisted but I made him. It was only for about six weeks in the end.

We are East Midlands. Plenty of jobs in all sectors. Definitely not queues of people applying either. But- you do need your own form of transport as we don’t have a bus service, and certainly nothing to cover shift work.
Perhaps the problem really is her lack of transport? Could you solve that via lifts/walking/cycling/moped? She may be in a better position then.

She can get buses, so she’s being sensible about whether it’s viable to get there. The job centre is 15 miles away, doable but not practical weekly making 30m round trip on buses but as she’s running out of hope I think she might have to claim UC

Maybe lots of jobs but even more applications.

Long ago I was told don’t mention things I’m starting unless directly relevant to the job unless application has hobbies section. (employers are not interested in the choir I’m in even if it shows dedication unless I’m applying for role in theatre).

I agree problem of no experience no job, but can’t get job to get that experience. Maybe some volunteering?