Teens send 50+ applications but get ghosted even for volunteer positions
Finding summer jobs has become one of the toughest challenges for teenagers in history.
1Worst summer job market in history
Only 790,000 jobs opened for teens in summer 2024 - the lowest in 76 years. After the Great Recession in 2010, there were 960,000 positions. Employers cutting entry-level roles and seeking experience leave teens struggling. Simon Chow, 17 from Montreal, applied to 50+ jobs without any responses.
2Frustrated teenagers
Samantha Rosaforte, 19 from New York, got just 1 positive reply from 80 applications. Most applications on LinkedIn and Indeed went unanswered. The Clemson University student says "I feel inadequate for any company." She eventually secured a social media internship at HelloFresh, completing her 10-week program soon.
3Networking becomes crucial
Those who find jobs often have connections. Chow notes "Friends with networks find jobs easier." In the UK, 17-year-old Jed Keeber applied for construction jobs for months, but health insurance and safety regulations create barriers. His mother Estelle recalls "15-year-olds could get Saturday jobs 10 years ago."
4Entrepreneurship emerges as alternative
15-year-old Obi Keeber earns £100 weekly repairing bikes and landscaping gardens. In the UK, 32% of teens start their own businesses when traditional jobs fail. Obi created his own work, putting in 15 hours weekly. His mother says "Searching for low-level jobs is soul-destroying" while supporting his venture.
5Old-school job hunting returns
Teens resort to parents' traditional methods like in-person CV drops and face-to-face requests. However, these only have an 8% success rate. In New York, 18-year-old Luke Della V finally found a cafe job through local work programs after months of searching.
6Even volunteer positions are competitive
Community centers, food banks and thrift stores don't respond to volunteer applications. 67% of teens report being rejected even from unpaid roles. In Montreal, working at strawberry farms is no longer a guaranteed option for youth employment.
7Changing employer expectations
Ice cream shops and retail stores now prefer candidates with previous summer experience. 45% of teens report being rejected for "lack of experience." 78% of employers choose experienced candidates to reduce training costs, disadvantaging first-time job seekers.
8Long-term consequences
Experts warn this crisis may permanently alter teens' career perceptions. 62% of Gen Z report losing trust in the job market. Economists predict more youth will turn to entrepreneurship or freelancing, potentially transforming traditional employment models.