“No experience” working in two restaurants: College graduates complain online that they can’t find minimum wage jobs
A university graduate has attracted widespread attention after she revealed she was turned down for a job as a waitress despite having a bachelor’s degree and restaurant experience.The 22-year-old posts on TikTok under the username @lliivvyyyyyyyyy. She shared her experience in a video that has been viewed more than 200,000 times.“If anyone is being turned down for a job, just to feel better, I was just turned down for a service job at a restaurant where I had a bachelor’s degree when I had actually worked at two restaurants because of ‘no experience,'” she said.The woman explained that she had been trying to advance in her chosen career, but even entry-level jobs were hard to come by.“I’m trying to change my career but placement jobs won’t hire me,” the candidate added.Her video resonated with hundreds of people who said they faced similar issues despite having professional qualifications.One user commented: “Oh you’re overqualified.” God forbid someone wants a job while they’re working on their master’s degree or taking steps to pursue their career. “Some users say being overqualified can actually hurt an applicant’s chances of finding a job.The conversation comes as many job seekers say they are adopting unconventional strategies to cope with the tough job market.In another example shared on Reddit, an applicant described using silence as a negotiation tactic after receiving a job offer that was significantly lower than expected.After hearing the proposed salary, the applicant was silent for 30 seconds.“This was probably the most uncomfortable half minute of my career,” the Reddit user wrote.“I just sat there staring at the wall and waiting.”This silence ultimately prompted the recruiter to reconsider the position.“Ten minutes later, she called me back and offered me an additional $12,000 plus a signing bonus. It was as if the money appeared out of thin air as soon as I stopped talking,” the applicant wrote.Reflecting on the experience, the user added: “It’s a game of timidity and whoever speaks first usually loses.”
