Job applications of around 70 per cent of Gen Z aspirants, or those below 24 years, were rejected during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to a Linkedin survey ‘Career Aspirations Gen Z India’, 72 per cent students and 65 per cent Gen Z Indians were professionally impacted during the second wave of COVID. The trend points to higher youth unemployment in the country. India is witnessing a steep increase in joblessness since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country last year as economic growth took a beating and employers retrenched millions from work, both in the formal and informal sector.
LinkedIn commissioned research firm GfK to conduct the survey, which was done in June. It focuses on insights of 1,000 Gen Z students and professionals in the age group of 18 to 24 years. The surveys said around 90% of Gen Z job applicants are demotivated after job offer rejections. And at least 51% of Gen Z Indians want employers to make skill-based hires today, as work experience remains a challenge.
The study claimed “Gen Z Indians cited fewer opportunities, followed by ‘slower recruitment’ and ‘higher competition’ as the top three reasons affecting their job search today. Other barriers in pursuing job opportunities include lack of guidance for skilling and increased familial responsibilities due to Covid-19”.
Around 72 per cent of the students stated that internship opportunities had also greatly reduced during the pandemic’s second wave.