Youth misunderstood? Well, it’s nothing new, but I’m feeling a bit defensive on behalf of the ‘youth of today’ because I know how hard they’re trying to get a job; a foot on the career ladder. So excuse me, Treasurer Scott Morrison, for speaking up against your words of criticism.

I’m sure that it is easy to come up with examples of young people witnessed hanging around in shopping centres, doing not very much with their day. However, I know for a fact that most of them want to work and want to do meaningful work for a decent wage for several, preferably 5 days per week.My view on this appears to be backed up by The Australian Life Patterns Study that reveals the motivations of today’s youth as well as the realities of the context, such as the fact that they’re up against difficult employment conditions.

So here’s what I say to parents whose young adults are struggling to obtain employment either during their years of formal and non-compulsory education, or beyond:

Give them the benefit of the doubt.

Listen to their concerns and acknowledge their efforts. They want to be able to pay their own way, so why would they NOT be searching.

Help them by assisting in their job search if you can.

Look for good quality coaching support in the writing of targeted resumes and covering letters.

That’s not generic online resume-writer creations, but help from a professional in learning the skills that will serve them well across their career life.

I have helped many people with their job searches and I am committed to offering a non-judgemental approach to counseling young people who might be struggling with unemployment or under-employment.

The concept of youth misunderstood is as old as the centuries, we adults have all been on the receiving end of it. Support is what’s needed, not criticism.