‘Lazy and entitled’: 22-year-old reveals difficult reality of trying to find a job
A young Aussie has revealed the “overwhelming” reality of trying to find a job in 2025, exposing a tough trend.
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The fleeting moment when employees had more power than employers has officially passed, and young Aussies are now struggling to find work.
Liam Wolter has applied for over 300 jobs in various industries, but despite his persistence, he hasn’t landed secure employment.
The 22-year-old from Melbourne says he has found the job market “tough and overwhelming” and struggles with the constant rejection.
Mr Wolter has been looking for full-time employment for around a year, ever since his shifts at a bar were cut back, and it hasn’t been easy.
“As a 22-year-old, I feel like there’s an expectation that we should already have tons of experience, even for entry-level jobs,” he explained.
“It doesn’t make sense when many of us are just starting out. There’s also a stigma around Gen Z.”
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The 22-year-old said that some employers think Gen Zers are “lazy and entitled” – a judgement he disagrees with.
“We just want opportunities to prove ourselves, but the job market feels like it isn’t giving us a fair chance,” he explained.
“I’ve had a few interviews, but nothing has worked out. Sometimes I make it through the initial stages, but nothing has worked out.
“It makes it hard to stay motivated when you don’t know what’s holding you back.”
Mr Wolter is studying barbering at TAFE, relies on Centrelink, and is still living at home with his mum, unable to find gainful employment.
“If it wasn’t for her, I’d most likely be on the street,” he admitted.
“Not having a steady income makes it incredibly stressful to keep up with bills and daily expenses.”
It also feels unfair because all Mr Wolter wants is to find a job but he simply isn’t having “any luck”.
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The 22-year-old admits he finds the job hunt depressing because all he wants is to land a job where he can “grow and feel valued,” however at the moment it isn’t easy.
“My plan is to keep applying for jobs in any industry while continuing my studies in barbering,” he said.
“I know it’s tough right now, but I’m hoping to eventually land something stable. It’s all about staying persistent, even though it’s frustrating.”
Wolter’s experience isn’t unique. New data from leading recruitment platform JobAdder reveals that job applications in Australia have surged to an all-time high, nearly doubling (44 per cent) in the past year.
In contrast, job creation declined by 5.4 per cent in 2024, painting a stark picture of a fiercely competitive job market.
The new data, published in JobAdder’s 2025 State of the Market Report, reveals that while some industries are overwhelmed with hundreds of applicants, others struggle to attract talent. Recruitment agencies face the challenge of sifting through an unprecedented volume of applications, with an average of 41 candidates per job.
Martin Herbst, CEO of JobAdder, said the hiring landscape changed in 2025, and employers have the power back.
“This surge in job applications highlights a fundamental shift; recruitment is no longer about attracting candidates, but managing high volumes and identifying quality talent. Agencies must rethink their hiring strategies to handle this evolving landscape efficiently,” he said.
“We’re seeing application numbers starting to plateau across Australia. Numbers are now approaching previous highs from about five years ago, which suggests we’re likely getting to a saturation point.”
“If this trend holds, application volumes could stabilise in 2025, easing pressure on recruiters.”
Originally published as ‘Lazy and entitled’: 22-year-old reveals difficult reality of trying to find a job
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