In the contemporary world, when there is a lack of employment options, young people are often the first to face it. The younger generations are often recent graduates, usually they have little or no work experience, whereas employers prefer experienced people. To solve this issue fairly employers should give high priority to key skills and qualities required for the job alongside with their work experience.
Age can significantly affect employment opportunities, particularly through differences in work experience. Employers are more willing to hire experienced candidates rather than recent graduates. A skilled office worker of 40 years, for instance, would always be more preferable than young adult. They may have the same amount of knowledge and necessary skills, however, the priority would be on the elder side. So, when practical experience is the major factor in hiring, it can cause significant and harmful impact on the labour market.
To deal with the problem, employers should focus on candidate’s knowledge, skills and intelligence, leaving previous work experience as a minor point. This would give young adults more opportunities to develop their career. For example employers can offer applicants to solve some real work-related task and determine how they apply their knowledge and skills, which allows them to decide fairly whether they are suitable for the position. In addition, companies can offer internships to young people, giving them opportunity to gain the knowledge and experience necessary for future employment in this enterprise. Thus, these methods can benefit both young people and employers.
In conclusion, although young people often struggle to find employment, when there is a lack of vacant places, due to limited experience, employers should prioritize skills, potential and knowledge. Offering practical tasks and providing internships, companies can create a fair hiring process.