Why are many young people hesitant to take up jobs?

The 27-year-old used to work for a media company in Hanoi, but two years ago she lost her job in a round of layoffs. Initially, after losing her job, she sent out two or three applications daily, but most companies either did not respond or rejected her. "I treated submitting applications like a full-time job. In the morning I would search for jobs on websites, and in the afternoon I would send resumes or attend interviews, but I could not find anything suitable," she says.

She did work at a few jobs, but quit in just a few days because she disagreed with her superiors' methods, found her colleagues unfriendly or the pay low. Now she no longer plans to look for work, seeing herself as a failure after receiving repeated rejection emails.

Day after day she locks herself at home, relying on her savings and some support from her parents to cover her expenses. Her parents encourage her to take a temporary job, but she refuses, believing that she will quit soon if she cannot get a job she likes.

Cong Khang on a trip to Vietnam's mountainous northwestern region in late 2023, during his free time before securing a job. Photo courtesy of Cong Khang

Cong Khang, 29, also faces challenges in the job market after returning from South Korea with a master’s degree in linguistics. He thought he would get a job with a salary of at least US$1,000, but when he applied to schools and language centers in Hai Phong, he was shocked to be offered only VND7-8 million (US$280-320).

Moving to Hanoi increased his income slightly, but rent and living expenses consumed two-thirds of his earnings. Considering the VND1 billion his parents had spent on his education, he says he needs to live frugally for at least 10-15 years to break even.

"If I had known a master's degree would fetch such a low salary, I would not have studied abroad. "I would have preferred to graduate locally, work here and potentially save some money."

He insists he will only take a job that meets his salary expectations. If not, he will enroll in life skills courses. His parents, who are financially comfortable, support his decision and do not pressure him.

Associate Professor Dr. Do Minh Cuong, deputy director of the Business Culture Institute, observes that some young people are hesitant to seek jobs despite being part of the primary workforce with better advancement opportunities than previous generations. He explains that one reason for this is the mismatch between educational training and market demands, with many courses taught in schools not meeting job market requirements.

Some young people have no financial pressure, making them less eager to find work, while others lose motivation after constant rejections during their job search. Some are overly confident, feeling that the salaries offered do not match their qualifications, he says.

The General Statistics Office’s report for the first half of 2024 shows that youth unemployment (ages 15-24) rose above 8%, a rate three times higher than for other age groups, and up from the previous half and year. Unemployment in urban areas stood at 10.19%, 3.3 percentage points higher than in rural areas. "The reason is that many want jobs that meet their expectations rather than settle for temporary or low-paying ones," the report states.

The 2024 Labor Market Overview and Assessment Report from Navigos Search, a mid- and high-level executive search company, says employers focus on experienced workers, accounting for nearly 72%, followed by managerial positions at 19%. Young workers with little experience are often overlooked, it says.

Cuong says: "These factors make young people, particularly Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012), feel disheartened, frustrated and no longer interested in job hunting.

"This poses a risk to businesses facing labor shortages and impacts the overall economy."

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam, vice president of the VNU University of Education, Hanoi, says many young people today tend to prioritize their present desires without considering the future. "This behavior limits Gen Z’s long-term opportunities, making it more challenging and increasing the likelihood of unemployment as they enter middle age."

Despite not reaching middle age, Thai Trinh has already faced two years of unemployment. The 25-year-old says she lost her motivation after being unable to secure a job for a long time. Now she feels anxious when meeting friends since she struggles to engage in conversations about work when her life is confined to four walls. "I want to work, but I don’t know where to start or when I’ll find the right job as I get older each year."

As for Khang, he hopes that in a few years, when the job market stabilizes, he will find a position that meets his salary expectations. For now he relies on his parents and enjoys his free time. "In the current unstable job market, a good job that suits me seems out of reach," he says.

Cuong disagrees with this mindset. He says young people’s unemployment is not due to a shortage of jobs, but rather because of their poor interviewing skills, unrealistic expectations and lack of resilience.

Thu Huong, a manager at a Hanoi content creation company with over 200 employees, shares this view. Based on her interviews with candidates, she believes that many young workers do not have a clear understanding of their own capabilities. Many leverage their degrees to demand higher salaries and benefits despite lacking professional skills and practical experience.

"I find it odd that some young people attend interviews without thoroughly researching the job requirements, and focus only on salary and benefits. Once they start working, they are quick to quit if they encounter difficulties or find the job unsatisfactory."

In 2023 the HCMC Labor Market and Manpower Forecasting Center surveyed 7,500 workers and found that over 46% wanted jobs with salaries of more than VND20 million per month, but less than 11% of recruiting businesses could meet this expectation.

Nam advises young people to actively improve their knowledge and skills, learn to listen and define their career paths instead of working on whims.

Cuong suggests that when they enter the job market, young people should prioritize acquiring experience and knowledge rather than focusing solely on the income. Employers should also be transparent about salaries and job expectations, he says. "Only with transparency will young workers understand what to expect from a company, and their reluctance to seek employment will go away."