High school is a hard time for most, especially financially, considering the fact that many kids are going through changes, whether it is puberty, their fashion sense, or even finding who they are as a person. Around this time, many high schoolers start looking for a job; however, recently, this has become an increasingly difficult feat.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, youth labor force participation has declined significantly over the past few decades, with fewer teens working or actively seeking jobs than in previous generations.
Despite filling out what feels like countless applications for weeks and sometimes even months, students, especially those looking to get their first job, continue to be ghosted by employers before the interview process begins.
“I’ve been applying to jobs for about a month. Out of the six jobs I applied to, I only got two interviews,” senior Lydia Schule said.
More often than not, because many have little to no previous experience, students tend to get turned away, creating a frustrating cycle. This can lead to feelings of insecurity that affect a potential employee throughout the interview process.
“Thats [what] I like to see [in] my employees. That they’re able to speak to each other, not just to go and say one word. That’s fine [to be] a little shy, but it’s okay to go a little bit off track,” local Chipotle manager Rafael Rodriguez said.
Due to the lack of experience and skills, students are often judged quickly based on first impressions. The importance of being able to communicate and demonstrate strengths while working on weaknesses can be a big challenge for first-time employees.
The use of AI systems in the application process is increasing to make the selection process for employers easier. However, with the growing reliance on these systems, many entry-level job positions are quick to filter applicants through online interactions alone, as recent research by the Harvard Business Review shows shifts in hiring trends following the rise of generative AI . This significantly decreases the likelihood that someone will get the position, especially because companies are always looking to maximize their profits, often leaving feelings aside.
For some the only way to get into the job market quickly is to have connections with peers and family members.
“I do believe it was easier to get an initial interview because I had connections but I feel like I would have gotten the job anyway,” senior Alexa Garcia said.
This often speeds up the process for those who might otherwise spend months applying. Not only that, but many entry-level positions that teens used to easily take are now being sought after by adults with more experience, especially in times when the economy is not doing too well overall. Because of this, teens are competing not only against other teens but against adults who can work flexible hours.
“Everyone is here, of course, to have a job to make money. But at the same time, I want to see how can you be different from everybody else?” Rodriguez said.
Between school, extracurricular activities, and trying to have a social life, high school students more often than not have limited availability. Unfortunately, for most employers, the limited availability and lack of experience are often seen as bigger inconveniences when deciding who to hire.
“I think the biggest problem was that I was not 18…and time, honestly,” Garcia said.
Certain industries might have age restrictions that are not explicitly stated in the application. This leads to students filling out applications and even getting interviews, only to be turned down because of their age.
“At the end of the day, everybody else is trying to get a job and just trying to make money but remember.. a lot of people come in every dya. So its always good to be outstanding,” Rodriguez said.
