1 Million Young People Are NEET — Here’s What You Can Do About It
743,000 young people aged 16–24 are unemployed in the UK right now. That’s 112,000 more than last year. And for the first time since 2013, over 1 million young people are not in education, employment, or training.
Behind every one of those numbers is someone sending CVs into the void, wondering what they’re doing wrong.
Source: House of Commons Library — Youth Unemployment Statistics, July 2026 →
These aren’t just numbers on a page. If you’re 20 and you’ve applied for 50 jobs and heard nothing back, you’re living inside this statistic right now. And the hardest part is that nobody tells you why it’s not working.
It’s Not Your Experience. It’s How You’re Presenting It.
Here’s what most people won’t tell you: the problem is rarely that you’re not qualified enough. It’s that your CV doesn’t speak the same language as the job you’re applying for.
A generic CV gets 7 seconds of a recruiter’s attention. If it doesn’t mirror the language in the job description, it often doesn’t get past the first filter — human or automated. That means you could have exactly the right skills and still get rejected before anyone reads past your name.
Most large employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan your CV for keywords from the job spec. If your CV says “customer service” and the spec says “client-facing”, you can be filtered out before a human ever sees your application. Same skill. Different words. Different outcome.
What You Can Actually Do
The single biggest thing you can do is stop sending the same CV to every job. Every application you send should be tailored to the specific role. That means your summary should reference the job. Your skills should use the same words the employer used. Your experience should highlight the things that matter most to that role, not every role.
That sounds like a lot of work. It used to be. But it doesn’t have to be.
Job Search Bud takes your CV and the job you’re applying for, and tailors your application so it speaks directly to what that employer is looking for. Same experience, same qualifications — just presented in a way that actually lands.
It also generates a tailored cover letter, an interview prep guide with likely questions and talking points, and a LinkedIn outreach message to help you get in front of the hiring manager directly.
If You Don’t Have a CV Yet
That’s fine. A lot of young people are applying for their first or second role and don’t have a polished CV to start with. Job Search Bud lets you build your first CV from scratch for free — just type what you’ve done in plain English and we’ll create a professional CV for you.
Whether you’ve got three years of experience or three months, the same principle applies: it’s not about having more experience. It’s about presenting what you have in the way the employer needs to see it.
Tailored CV — restructured and reworded for the specific role
Cover letter — personalised to the role and company
Interview prep guide — likely questions, talking points, and how to handle gaps
LinkedIn outreach message — a connection request for the hiring manager
You’re Not Behind. You Just Need the Right Tools.
The job market is harder than it’s been in over a decade for young people. That’s not your fault. But there are things you can control — and how your CV reads for each specific role is the biggest one.
Your first tailored CV is free. No card required. Upload your CV, paste a job description, and see the difference in under 60 seconds.
Stop Sending the Same CV to Every Job
Upload your CV and a job description. In 60 seconds you’ll see exactly how your CV should read for that role.
Try It FreeDon’t have a CV yet? No problem — you can also build your first CV from scratch for free.