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Why is it easy for some people to land a job like it's no problem with no experience and some people can't seem to find a job with experience and references ?

Like tons of my high school friends have jobs but all my college level friends are struggling to find a job- that doesn't make sense to me

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Thank you comment icon Hi Alex, you are definitely not alone in navigating this competitive market. Entry-level roles often target younger professionals with less experience, while specialized fields can feel more challenging for those finishing college. To succeed, stay positive and keep your resume updated using AI for impact. Refine your elevator pitch, practice common interview questions, and remain intentional with your applications. Don’t forget to utilize job fairs and prioritize networking to build meaningful relationships. Stay consistent—you’ve got this! Matt Collins
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Flower’s Answer

Try not to worry too much about it. High school students and college students are usually looking for very different kinds of jobs. Many high school jobs are part-time or entry-level, so it’s easier to get hired quickly. College students are often aiming for roles related to their major or future career, which naturally takes more time and competition.

Finding a job isn’t about being fast, it’s about finding the right fit. What really matters is the quality of the opportunity—whether it helps you grow, learn useful skills, and build a good career path.

It might feel slow now, but taking a bit more time to choose the right direction can make a big difference later.
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Matt’s Answer

Build relationships in the industry you want to join, as some people there might have useful connections. Remember, attending college doesn't always prepare someone for a job, so seek out internships.
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Kennie’s Answer

Experience and references are important and can be the difference between people getting selected for a role or not.
Also important is how you perform in the interview - did you show confidence and enthusiasm, connect naturally with the employer, matched exactly with what the company are looking for.
If someone has experience and refences but applied for the wrong type of role, wasn't presenting themselves confidently, or haven't learned how to highlight their strengths, they may struggle.
Soft skills are important, many roles you can learn, but you can't always teach attitude, reliability, communication, work ethic.
I would remember, not getting hired doesn't mean you are not good enough, sometimes another candidate simply had something you did not.
Be confident, keep improving, always moving forward.
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Karen’s Answer

Many things can affect your ability to get a job, but believing in yourself and staying positive is key. It seems like you might be feeling like luck isn't on your side. Remember, your thoughts can shape your reality.

When I feel this way, I change my mindset by listing my strengths and achievements and keeping that list visible. I also try to learn from successful people by asking them about their secrets. Be open to the idea that your thoughts might be holding you back.
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Zoubaier’s Answer

Along with the necessary skills, what really sets you apart is how you communicate and perform in interviews. Practice and follow good advice. While you can find most information online or through AI, companies want people who can connect and fit in well with their team.
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Anshita’s Answer

In today's job market, having a strong LinkedIn profile is key to helping employers get to know you. Networking is also crucial now more than ever. Presenting yourself well at networking events can make a big impression and lead to interview calls. From there, your talent and hard work will help you get the job.
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Jackie’s Answer

There are several reasons why this happens. Many jobs are filled through connections, like referrals or someone inside the company recommending you. People with strong networks can skip the resume pile, while a highly qualified person without connections might not even get a call back. Some people apply smartly, tailoring each application, while others send out the same resume everywhere. Applying to lots of jobs without a plan usually doesn't work well.
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Prashanth’s Answer

The main factors are the type of job, timing, and who you know. Some jobs hire quickly and focus more on when you can start rather than your experience, making it easier for high school friends to get them. College-level jobs tend to be more competitive, so even strong candidates might find it tough. Plus, having connections and getting referrals are often more important than people think.
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Matthew’s Answer

Getting a job can seem confusing: newcomers often find it easy, while experts have a tough time. This happens because of salary expectations and the difference between skills you have and skills you can learn. Companies save money by hiring new people, while experienced candidates deal with tough competition, being seen as overqualified, and automated systems that filter applications.
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Sara’s Answer

A lot of it comes down to access, timing, and guidance - not just talent or experience. Some people have the right resources, strong networks, better resume advice, or someone helping them navigate the process, so opportunities come easier. Others may have experience and references, but if they’re not using the right strategy, targeting the right roles, or presenting themselves well, it can still be hard to land a job. So yes, in many cases it’s not that one person is better than another; it’s that they may have better support, better advice, and better access to the right opportunities. Hard work matters, but having the right tools and direction can make a big difference
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Ram’s Answer

You don't need to worry anymore. When two candidates have similar skills, the choice often depends on other factors like problem-solving and communication skills. Non-verbal cues are important because they show confidence and clarity, and they help you share your experience and problem-solving approach effectively.

Focus on building your core skills, and practice interviews by preparing thoughtful answers to common questions. Create a few strong stories from your past work and keep them in simple bullet points. You can adjust these stories to fit different questions. Remember, practice makes perfect, and your ability to connect with the interviewer matters a lot.
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Claire’s Answer

Hi Alex!

I remember how intimidating starting a career was when I was beginning college, at that point I had never had a job. I actually didn't land an internship until Junior year of college! I'd say that what helped me the most was a class about professional development. The professor had an assignment which pushed us out of the comfort zone, and had us cold reach out to people who were in positions we were interested in. I had reached out to a Director of Finance for a tech company I was interested in! We would then ask for some time to have a "career conversation" in which you just ask questions about their life, career, etc. It was an amazing experience and I highly recommend doing this to make connections! It's ok to not get a response at first, just be persistent!
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Diana’s Answer

Hi Alex,

It's completely normal to feel this way, and you're definitely not alone. Start by making sure your resume is up-to-date and easy to read. Many business schools suggest using the Harvard Business School Resume template, which you can download for free. Also, keep your LinkedIn profile current, as it's often the first thing people check when considering your application.

Prepare for interviews by looking up common questions and jotting down key points for your answers. You don't need to memorize them, just have some main ideas ready to help you sound natural. The STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—can help you keep your answers focused and concise.

Practice these questions with friends, family, or use your school's career services to boost your confidence. Also, reach out to family and family friends to see if they know anyone in your field of interest. They might help set up an informational interview, offering valuable advice and connections.

Remember, always be open to making new connections. You've got this!
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Benjamin’s Answer

Lots of good answers here, so I'll go down a slightly different path.

How would you respond to someone who asked you for help out of the blue? Let's assume you've never met that person, but they are asking you for a big favor - it would probably be hard for you to want to help them without knowing who they are, why they need YOUR help specifically, and what they've done on their own without asking your help.

This is often how people on the other side feel when you ask for a job reference or something similar out of the blue. My best advice to you is to learn how to genuinely connect with people as PEOPLE, rather than as a stepping stone to the thing you want. Talk about their kids, talk about the local sports team, talk about cars, talk about TV.... whatever, but be friendly and treat it as a genuine connection first, then the professional stuff will follow naturally.

In my first job interview, we talked about golf for 45 minutes then spent 15 minutes talking about the culture of the company. Yes the other tips on professionalism, confidence, etc. from the other answers are relevant, but remember every job has someone on the other end that needs to say "You're hired".
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Josh’s Answer

There's no easy answer for this (which is frustrating in and of itself, to be clear). So many different variables go into why one person (or group of people) can get a job quickly and others can't. The fields that your friends are pursuing is perhaps the most important variable, because certain sectors are hiring more aggressively than others. The amount of applications for a given job is another one -- how many jobs your friends are applying for, how many applications may be submitted for a specific job, etc. How people present themselves in an interview is critical as well.

The additional variable that's entirely outside of your friends' control is how that interviewing process goes for the person on the other side. Some interviewers may be more or less connected to the specific needs of the job (if an HR recruiter is conducting an initial interview, they may only be looking to see if the person they're talking to lines up with the listed job description, but they may not know the ins and outs of what a daily grind is like in a specific role).

Having been in different situations hunting for a job, the easiest piece of advice is to keep applying and not letting up; some industries may be hiring more later in the year, based on their specific needs or the start of a new annual budget.
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Andrew’s Answer

It's important to think about where you are in life and what's happening around you. If you see your high school friends getting jobs but not your college friends, remember that high school jobs are often part-time and easier to find. Your college friends might be aiming for full-time jobs in their field, which can be challenging to secure, especially now. Everyone's path is unique, and it makes sense in its own way. Keep going, and trust that you're on the right track for you.
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Sarah’s Answer

Confidence and perception. As an introvert who was raised to be humble and not too "loud", I struggled to be my true self and show up confidently in social and professional settings. If you're like me, I'll tell you this is a skill you can learn! The person who is naturally charming and confident isn't any better or smarter than you are. They don't have all the skills and experience in the job description. Know that your potential, your willingness to learn and succeed, and your integrity are just as important as that other person's seeming qualifications. Be your biggest advocate and show up with an "I can figure this out," "I deserve this," attitude - and do the hard work to back that up!
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Mikal’s Answer

Finding a job can feel tough, but having good references and the right experience can really help you stand out. Many people forget that interviews are important too, even if their resume looks great. Companies want someone who not only has the skills but also fits well with the team.
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Philip’s Answer

Don't worry about comparing your journey to others. I've been through the same job search anxiety, but remember, there's a path for you. In today's job market, I highly suggest networking as much as possible. Networking doesn't always have to be formal; you can connect with people who share your career goals through various activities. I've met many professionals through hobbies and interests outside of work. When you meet someone, ask them to share their journey and advice on entering the field. If they're open to it, see if they can recommend you to their organization. A personal recommendation can really help you get a job.
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Deepti’s Answer

The people who land jobs effortlessly usually aren't more qualified. They're just better at getting jobs, which is a completely different skill from actually doing the job. A few things that really drive it, in my opinion:
They know someone. Up to 80% of jobs are filled through relationships before they're ever publicly posted. Experience doesn't matter if you never get in the room.
They interview well. Confidence and likability beat qualifications almost every time. Interviewers make gut decisions and justify them with criteria afterward.
They're targeted, not desperate. Applying to 10 well-researched roles with a personal connection beats blasting 200 applications every time.

If you have experience and references and still can't land something, the issue isn't your qualification, it's usually how you're communicating them, where you're applying, or simply not being plugged into the right network yet.
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Karen’s Answer

Usually it depends on the number of positions needed to be filled. Likely, high school students can find jobs in retail, servers in restaurants, etc. where college students may be looking to begin a career.

One of the best things you can do, whether a high school or college student is to expand your skills and experiences. One way of doing that is to volunteer for a variety of short-term opportunities.

With every good wish and many blessings,
Karen
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Maie’s Answer

Networking is really important and can make a big difference. Searching for a full-time job can feel like a full-time job itself, but connecting with people in your field can really help you. LinkedIn is a great tool for building these connections. Keep in mind that finding the right job takes time, but you will soon find something amazing!
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Rakshitha’s Answer

In my personal experience, an underrated and key focus area that is often overlooked is the ability to communicate your thoughts in an efficient way. Two candidates might have the same level of expertise and references, so the differentiating often becomes how well they communicate their thoughts and solve a problem. Then there is logistics of the company, so a little bit of luck too that plays a role. But keep in mind, we can do our best in things we can control.
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Aparna’s Answer

That's an interesting question! It seems like people with industry connections often get opportunities more easily. Those with lots of experience but no connections might find it harder to get a chance.
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Kebbi’s Answer

Hi Alex! It can definitely feel unfair. The truth is that getting a job isn't always about who has the most experience. Timing, networking, interview skills, location, and how well a person's experience matches a specific role all play a part. Sometimes someone with less experience gets hired because they made a strong connection, tailored their resume well, or fit exactly what the employer needed at that moment. Don't assume that struggling to find a job means you're not qualified. Keep building your skills, expanding your network, and applying intentionally. Many successful careers take longer to get started than people realize.
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