"I can't sleep at night": China's youth fear a tough job market

 "After graduation, I found that the pressure was really huge," she told AFP at a recruitment fair in Beijing at the weekend, declining to give her full name for fear of repercussions.

"I get one response for every 10 CVs sent out," she said.

Zhang is one of millions of graduates entering China's job market at a time of soaring youth unemployment.

Recently, this number has been a record every month, in June 21.3 percent of people aged 16 to 24 were without a job.

The authorities suddenly announced on Tuesday that they would stop publishing age-related employment data, sparking public skepticism and concern about youth unemployment in the world's second-largest economy.

At career fairs in Beijing this week, attendees described a challenging environment for inexperienced candidates hoping to land their first or second job.

Yang Yao, an unemployed 21-year-old man with a background in media, was disappointed after browsing ads at a fair in central Beijing on Thursday, where employers were mostly looking for low-paying sales and administrative positions.

He had left his previous job in eastern China's Zhejiang province to move closer to his family in Beijing and was now overwhelmed by fears about his prospects after several fruitless weeks of searching.

"Every night I worry, what if I can't find a job, what will I do with the cost of living? And I can't sleep at night," he told AFP.

Post-Covid slump

China has released a series of indicators in recent months that point to a slowdown in the country's post-Covid economic recovery, with weak consumer demand making firms reluctant to hire.

Recent activity data has generally come in on the weaker side, suggesting the recovery is stalling,” Jing Liu, chief Greater China economist at HSBC, wrote in a note this week.

"This is reflected in the labor market data," she added.

Xie Wei, a 39-year-old recruitment manager at a telecommunications services firm, told AFP that companies that survived three years of disruption during China's zero-covid pandemic restrictions are now more selective in hiring new employees.

Companies that bounce back "choose a direction, and that direction is primarily that the company has to survive," he said.

He also said he felt young workers, especially those born after the mid-1990s, "lacked the psychological pressure, so they could be more lazy" - in line with the government's stance that young people should be willing to endure hardship.

However, Li Xiangyang, a 26-year-old former social media manager who is looking for a new job, said that "maybe in terms of employment promotion, we are somewhat lacking".

"If you're in a second- or third-tier city... there would be very few development opportunities in my field," he told AFP.

"I feel like politics hasn't caught up."

China has announced a number of measures to boost consumption in recent weeks, including major festivals and sporting events, as well as increased spending on services including dining and healthcare.

But economists said the government needed to do more to boost consumer and employer confidence.

In one industry – insurance – positions appear to be plentiful, albeit with no guaranteed income.

More than a third of the booths at a job fair in northern Beijing on Saturday were occupied by insurance companies hoping to hire new sales representatives, with company staff scouring the premises for promising recruits.

"For insurance representatives, we can always expand our teams, so there is no limit to the number of recruits," said Yang, an insurance saleswoman in her 40s.

After waves of layoffs in other sectors, such as education, "relatively more talent is flowing into this market," she added.

Recruiters at Saturday's fair showed AFP bank records showing some teammates had earned over a million yuan ($137,300) in half a year and promised themselves unlimited wealth from commission-based jobs.

A recent psychology major, Zhang was unable to find a job in her chosen field of market research despite sending out thousands of resumes to Chinese employers.

The months-long search took an emotional toll on the 23-year-old, who ironically researched job-hunting anxiety as part of her university studies.

Revealing the nocturnal struggles of China's youth amid a dismal job market

In the vibrant landscape of China's economic growth, a worrying trend has emerged among its youth - a growing inability to sleep at night. This alarming phenomenon stems from the ever-increasing pressures and uncertainties associated with the country's competitive labor market. In this article, we delve into the reasons for this insomnia, shed light on the challenges facing China's young generation, and suggest potential strategies to alleviate their concerns.

1. Weight of expectations:

Walking the tightrope of success in China's headless labor market

China's booming economy and expanding industry have led to heightened expectations among its youth. As opportunities grow, so does the demand for exceptional qualifications and skills. The pressure to excel academically, along with the zealous pursuit of extracurricular activities and internships, keeps many young individuals tossing and turning at night. This section explores how the burden of meeting societal and family expectations contributes to their sleepless nights.

2. Fierce competition and lack of jobs:

Insomnia as a result of the job race

The Chinese labor market is notoriously fiercely competitive. With a growing number of graduates flooding into the workforce every year, supply often outstrips demand. As a result, securing a stable and fulfilling job becomes an arduous endeavor. The constant worry of not finding a suitable job makes Chinese youth nervous and restless. This segment reveals a direct link between the lack of employment and the sleepless nights experienced by the young population.

3. Struggling with work-life balance:

The ever-blurring line between professional aspirations and personal well-being

In the digital age, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is increasingly challenging. Chinese youth are confronted with the expectation to be constantly connected, leading to blurred boundaries between work and personal life. The inability to disconnect and relax takes a toll on their mental well-being, leading to sleep disturbances. This section delves into the impact of technology and work pressure on their night's rest.

4. Coping mechanisms and solutions:

Addressing insomnia and improving well-being for China's young workforce

Although the challenges seem daunting, various strategies can be implemented to address the insomnia experienced by Chinese youth. Establishing comprehensive career guidance programs, promoting mental health awareness and promoting a balanced approach to success are some of the ways to ease their anxieties. By fostering a supportive environment that values ​​holistic development, we can enable young people to face the job market with a more resilient mindset.

Restoring Sleep and Hope: Paving the Way for China's Youth in a Competitive World

The sleepless nights plaguing China's young generation due to a tight labor market are a poignant reminder of the evolving nature of ambition and success. As the nation continues its path to economic prosperity, it is critical to prioritize the well-being of the future workforce. By recognizing the multifaceted challenges and adopting innovative solutions, China can ensure that its young people can sleep soundly, with dreams unencumbered by the weight of a tough job market.

China's vibrant young population faces a daunting challenge that keeps them awake at night: the relentless pressure of a tough job market. As the global economic landscape evolves, young people in China are increasingly concerned about their career prospects. In this article, we delve into the reasons behind their sleepless nights and explore the intricate web of factors that contribute to their fears.

Understanding Anxiety:

China's labor market, once known for its steady growth, has seen significant shifts recently. A rapidly changing economic environment, along with advances in technology and increased competition, has created an atmosphere of uncertainty. This uncertainty is taking a toll on the sleep patterns of the nation's youth, who are grappling with questions about their future.

Factors amplifying concerns:

Intense Competition: With a massive population, competition for jobs has intensified. Graduates compete not only with their peers, but also with an influx of qualified candidates.

Skill Mismatch: Mismatch between education and industry requirements results in skill mismatch. Graduates often find that their academic qualifications do not match the practical skills that employers need.

Emerging Industries: Rapid technological advances are reshaping industries. This dynamic shift requires constant upskilling, leaving many young adults feeling left behind.

Financial pressures: Rising costs of living and student loans create financial burdens that increase the pressure to secure stable, well-paying jobs.

Parental expectations: Societal and parental expectations to excel in a career increase the weight on the shoulders of young job seekers.

Potentialsolutions:

Adaptive Learning: A curriculum that evolves in line with industry trends can help bridge the gap between educational and employment requirements.

Skills Development Programs: Government and private initiatives focused on skills development and training can equip youth with the tools they need to thrive.

Mentorship and guidance: Access to mentors and career advisors can provide direction and ease the isolation many job seekers feel.

Entrepreneurial opportunities: Fostering a culture of entrepreneurship can create alternative avenues for employment and innovation.

Industry-academia collaboration: Closer ties between academia and industry can lead to a curriculum that better prepares students for real-world challenges.

The sleepless nights of China's youth reflect a deeper struggle rooted in a tough job market. However, with the right strategies, there is hope for a better future. By addressing skills gaps, adapting to changing industries and fostering support networks, China can once again allow its young population to sleep easy knowing it has the tools to overcome labor market challenges.