Taking a bit of a different tone this month.
The European Union, in general, has seen a low point for unemployment at 5.8%, with outliers such as Spain with 10.9%, Finland with 9.4%, and Czechia with 2.6% (All further information on this statistic can be found at Statista)[2].
Globally, we are seeing higher unemployment rates in younger generations [1]. The International Labour Organization (ILO) suggests that young people (those aged 15-24), and especially young women, are not seeing the benefits of the economic recovery post-COVID 19 [3]. I, as well as other early-career scientists and data-people, have been dealing with this current job market.
The problem seems to be that there is a skill crisis; i.e., education offered does not fit perfectly within labor market needs, which leads to a) young people not getting hired, and b) the inability for employers to hire people with the necessary skills for a particular role [4]. In my opinion, this is especially frustrating as we are often quite willing and able to learn these skills.
All that being said, here are some strategies for dealing with these frustrations [5].
- Normalize. Realize that you may not have all the control, but there are some things you can do to help yourself.
- Don’t take it personally. A lot of unemployment is due only on market conditions, and does not reflect on you personally.
- You still have a lot of work to do. Look for jobs, internships, programs, etc. This period of unemployment or job searching can be stressful and it is important to take care of yourself.
- Increase social support. Your friends, family, and colleagues want to help!
- Be flexible (pt. I). Job searching can be very time-consuming. Try to manage your time well.
- Think of this time as a sabbatical. While it can be stressful to not have job security or a steady income, if you try to think of this period as just a transitional time, you can have the freedom to do activities and hobbies you otherwise may not have time for.
- Be flexible (pt. II). Increase your job search options to include different levels of work, salary, location, and types of jobs.
- Be kind to yourself. Doors will open for you as long as you keep trying to open them. Stay positive and believe in your capabilities.
Sources:
[1] Unemployment in EU going down among all age groups except young people
[2] EU unemployment rate by country 2025| Statista
