A math graduate sent over 1,000 job applications in the UK with no replies, then moved to Austria

Generation Z and millennial workers in Britain are extremely frustrated with being ignored by employers, with some even abandoning the country entirely. A math graduate reveals he spent over a year applying to more than 1,000 jobs in the UK without getting a single offer, only to land a job in Austria within weeks.

His Austrian-born partner Anna stated, “The job market in the UK is utterly absurd. Even for qualified individuals, finding a job is extremely difficult,” a statement that has struck a chord with thousands of disheartened young workers.

The couple, who are active on TikTok under @tamandanna, explained that despite Tam having multiple qualifications, he still couldn’t attract the attention of British employers.

While he was sending out applications in the UK, she was applying for positions in her home country of Austria and immediately noticed the difference. “I got a job within two or three weeks,” she said. “In Austria, companies are desperately seeking well-qualified staff, whereas in the UK, even highly qualified individuals find it extremely hard to secure a job.”

Millions of Gen Zers like him are locked out of the workforce and called NEETs

Tam is by no means alone. Many Gen Z graduates are realizing that their qualifications no longer ensure a straightforward route to graduate programs, high-profile jobs, or even the initial entry they once had.

Many major employers have ; meanwhile, recruiters globally are more likely to search for new hires . 

Concurrently, entry-level positions are being taken over by AI, and even in less impacted sectors, employers are halting hiring to observe the effects of automation and the economy. This is generating what was termed as “” for widespread youth unemployment. Presently, 20% of 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK are unemployed, and approximately 4.3 million Gen Zers in the US face the same situation.

Tam mentioned that his year of job searching not only damaged his resume but also shattered his confidence. After months of filling out forms, facing rejections, and receiving silence, he felt like he was “” and couldn’t “move forward with his life while stuck in the job market limbo. “It just feels like you’re repeatedly hitting your head against a wall,” he added.

One company even took a full year to respond to Tam regarding his job application, only to inform him he had been rejected for the position he had applied for.

The couple tell unemployed Gen Zers to look outside of their country and fields of study  

Now, nine months have passed since the couple relocated to Austria for work, and Tam states it has all been worthwhile: “This has been an excellent decision because now I have a job, I’m earning money, and the quality of life is good.”

Since they began sharing their story, Tam has said his direct messages have been inundated. “The number of people reaching out to us in the same situation is astounding,” he explained. “I empathize with everyone because I know how awful that feels. I wish I could assist more.”

Their advice for the millions of young unemployed individuals who keep facing setbacks? Think outside the conventional boundaries.

Tam acknowledged he had to look beyond his field of study to land a job successfully. After failing to secure a data analyst position, he expanded his search and found success. “I thought, what do I have to lose? Stay open because opportunities exist; they’re just sometimes hard to spot.”

Anna stated, “If you’re in the UK and can’t find a job, truly keep an open mind. Often, there are opportunities you haven’t even considered… Stay positive. There’s something for you out there.”

“I’m not claiming that moving abroad is suitable for everyone, but I do believe it’s important to remember that the world is more extensive than just one job market,” she stated.