In a viral TikTok video, Lohanny Santos, a 26-year-old from Brooklyn, shared her frustrations and tears after struggling to secure employment as a young creative. Lohanny's relatable experience struck a chord with many young job seekers facing similar challenges in the USA and Canada.
According to World Bank data based on an International Labor Organization model for 2020, the USA and Canada rank high when it comes to youth unemployment. In Canada, approximately 20% of young job seekers are unable to find work, mirroring the situation in countries like Puerto Rico, Lithuania, France, and Nigeria.
Despite the majority of hiring processes being conducted online, Lohanny opted for a more traditional approach. She went door-to-door with her stack of resumes, physically searching for job opportunities in the bustling streets of New York City. However, her efforts proved futile as she faced multiple rejections, leaving her feeling disheartened and even embarrassed.
Lohanny, a graduate of New York's Pace University, holds two degrees and speaks three languages. To her disappointment, her extensive qualifications and talents did not guarantee success in her job search. In her vulnerable video, she shared her desire to pursue a career as a TikToker but acknowledged that she needed a job that provided a stable income.
While Lohanny has found some success on TikTok, becoming a top creator on the platform is not as financially lucrative as it may seem. TikTok's Creator Fund program pays creators approximately $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views, which means earning $20 to $40 for a million views. As a mid-tier influencer with 152,200 followers, Lohanny could earn an estimated $125 to $1,250 per post. While this may seem like a decent income, it falls short of covering living expenses in a city like New York, where the estimated overall living expenses for a single person are $4,299.
Lohanny's heartfelt video resonated with viewers, who flooded the comment section with supportive messages and job recommendations. Many empathized with her struggles and shared their own experiences of unemployment and job hunting.
The challenges faced by young job seekers like Lohanny highlight a broader issue within the job market. A survey conducted in 2023 revealed that some employers favored hiring older candidates over recent college graduates. This shift in preference may stem from concerns about the work ethics and behaviors of Gen-Z workers. Instances of young candidates bringing their parents to interviews have been reported, leading to conflicts and discomfort for employers.
In response to the overwhelming support and suggestions, Lohanny expressed gratitude for the outreach she received. She emphasized that she is not alone in her unemployment struggles, and many well-educated individuals are also facing similar challenges in finding meaningful employment.
Mark Williams, a human resource management professor at the Queen Mary University of London, noted that youth unemployment is typically higher due to the lack of work experience. He highlighted the advantages that individuals from privileged backgrounds may have in the labor market, emphasizing the importance of social connections and opportunities. Williams also pointed out that while there are numerous job opportunities available, they may not be desirable long-term options.
The increase in the number of young people pursuing higher education and working part-time while studying has resulted in a vast army of part-time student workers. Their contribution is vital for the functioning of businesses such as coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, and supermarkets. However, the increased competition within the labor market due to a larger cohort of young people entering simultaneously may create additional challenges.
Regarding the question of whether there are 'too many' graduates to be hired, Williams argued that studying should be pursued for its intrinsic rewards. However, he expressed concern about the growing debt burden and the mismatch between the number of available managerial and professional jobs and the number of graduates seeking them.
Overall, Lohanny's emotional journey sheds light on the difficulties young job seekers face in the current job market. Her video struck a chord with many, sparking conversations about youth unemployment, the challenges of finding meaningful employment, and the evolving dynamics between employers and young workers.
