Have you ever come across an ad for a job that asked for an employee that recently graduated, but also had about 4 years of experience in the field and a few superpowers?

As a person looking for a job, it has definitely been my case: you are not equipped with the right skills or you’re overqualified for the position (since when did that become a thing) are definitely phrases I’ve heard before.

It sucks, and not just for me. The YOUTH GLOBAL EMPLOYABILITY REPORT created by AIESEC in collaboration with 400+ employers from around 60 countries is trying to shed some light on this matter. According to the gathered data, the youth employment rate across Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries remains below its pre-crisis level. Adding to that, there seem to be a staggering 71 million unemployed young people, as reported by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The reason for this is both simple and very complex: change. Globalization, technological progress or changes in demographics are all key contributing factors. Thus, the concept of employability changes is in its definition as well. What we thought of it in the past may not longer be valid presently.

You might feel like this is something obvious, but not many people are actually equipped to deal with this particular change. Skill sets required in order to advance professionally are now more extensive and specific than ever before. What’s demanded on the job market often differs from the qualifications we actually develop in school. Although blaming the education system for the current situation seems to have become the norm, it’s important to take a moment to look in the mirror and acknowledge what you could do about it. School trains you academically, but it’s our job to apply it and transform it into experiential knowledge. When it comes to acquiring soft skills, there are many different place that can help, such as online courses or specialized agencies.

The OECD Skills for Jobs offers insight about the skills currently needed in order to get a job in OECD member countries. You might find that in different place you might just have what is considered the perfect profile, which exactly why the topic of Youth Global Mobility has been gaining so much exposure.

In a world where globalization is such an important component of its everyday dynamics, it would be naive to think that the only option for professional and personal development is one’s own country. You have to get out there, explore, and experience the job you are looking for in a place you might not have known you are looking for!

In the end, it’s all about getting out of your comfort zone and learning. If you’re looking to improve your skills or experience working in a different environment, AIESEC’s Global Talent and Global Entrepreneur might be just the solution for you.

Finally, we’d love to know what abilities you have, so leave us a comment and tell us about a skill and why you think it’s the one that makes you stand out the most!