For the past few months, I’ve been working closely with job seekers as part of the Employment Solutions team at Rotherham Council. It’s been a rewarding experience, guiding individuals and groups on their journey toward employment. I have been delivering training on employability and also coaching individuals on their journey to employment or further education.
One group that has particularly stood out to me is young people—some brought in by concerned parents hoping to help them reconnect with the world. Many of them are still feeling the aftershocks of the COVID-19 lockdowns, struggling with lost friendships, social anxiety, and a lack of momentum. It’s clear that the transition to employment isn’t just about CVs and interview skills—it’s about rebuilding confidence, connection, and purpose.
Here are a few key things I’ve found that really help young people take steps toward employability.
1. Creating a Sense of Safety
Before young people can confidently step into the world of work, they need to feel safe—both physically and emotionally. Many have faced setbacks, social withdrawal, or anxiety, making it crucial to create an environment where they feel welcomed and empowered.
One of the most effective ways to do this is by allowing them to define what safety means for them. When they feel heard and respected, they become more open to exploring new concepts, reflecting on their attitudes, and developing essential skills.
Building this foundation of trust isn’t just a one-time thing—it needs to be reinforced throughout their journey. Once young people feel secure, they can start taking meaningful steps toward personal and professional growth.
2. Teaching Focus, Listening, and Conversation Skills
Many young people struggle with the expectation to perform in conversations—whether in interviews, group discussions, or even casual chats. They often feel pressure to think and respond quickly, which can be overwhelming. When this happens, they may shut down, become silent, or retreat into their own thoughts.
Rather than expecting them to “just talk,” it’s important to teach foundational skills like focused attention, active listening, and conversational confidence. Simple techniques—such as pausing to gather their thoughts, practicing deep listening, or using structured conversation exercises—can help them engage without feeling pressured.
By breaking communication down into manageable steps, we give young people the tools to express themselves with more ease, setting them up for success in both social and professional settings.
3. Encouraging Curiosity to Break the Silence
One powerful way to help young people overcome social shutdown is by fostering curiosity. When they feel stuck in their own thoughts, encouraging them to ask rather than answer can be a game-changer.
A great exercise is to have them step into the role of a journalist. Instead of feeling pressure to speak about themselves, they can practice asking engaging questions that keep a conversation flowing.
For example:
- Interview a sibling: “What do you love about Dua Lipa?” Follow up with, “What’s your favourite song? Why that one?” Keep them talking as long as possible.
- Ask a parent about their favourite show: “Who’s your favourite contestant? What makes them stand out?” Keep digging deeper with “why” and “how” questions.
This approach helps young people build confidence in conversations while developing a natural curiosity about others—an essential skill for both personal connections and professional success.
3b. The Power of Open-Ended Questions
A simple yet effective way to ease the pressure young people feel in conversations is by teaching them open-ended questions. When they learn to ask questions that invite longer responses, it shifts the focus from having to perform to simply being curious.
Instead of feeling like they need to say something impressive, they can rely on a few go-to questions, such as:
- “What was the best part of your day?”
- “Tell me more about that!”
- “What do you think would happen if…?”
By practicing these kinds of questions, young people gain a valuable social tool that helps them engage with others more naturally—whether in job interviews, workplace conversations, or everyday life. Over time, this skill builds confidence, making interactions feel less like a test and more like a genuine exchange.
4. The Power of Diversity in Group Learning
One of the most effective ways to support young people in training sessions is by ensuring a diverse mix of participants. When young people from different backgrounds, interests, and experiences come together, it naturally sparks curiosity, conversation, and deeper learning.
A variety of perspectives means:
- More questions being asked
- More differences to explore
- More opportunities to practice communication and cooperation
However, for this to work, the group needs to feel safe, valued, and respected. When young people trust that their voice matters, they are more likely to engage, challenge ideas, and build meaningful connections. This fosters mutual respect and cooperation, preparing them for the diverse workplaces they’ll eventually enter.
5. Helping Young People Recognise Their Strengths
When asked about their skills and interests, many young people downplay or dismiss what they’re good at. Some will say they have “no hobbies,” while others struggle to recognize their own talents. But with the right exercises, they can start to see just how much they bring to the table.
One effective approach is peer interviews—where young people take turns asking each other about their strengths, hobbies, and past experiences. This structured questioning helps them rediscover passions they may have forgotten or felt embarrassed to share.
For example, one young person in a session insisted he had no real interests beyond gaming and YouTube. But after a series of follow-up questions from a peer, he suddenly remembered his love for cars—he had even been sketching them in his free time. Yet, he had never considered this a “real” hobby until the discussion brought it to light.
These exercises also highlight another key insight: many young people don’t recognise the valuable skills they’ve developed through life’s challenges. Resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving often come from overcoming adversity, yet they rarely see these as strengths. By helping them reframe their experiences, we can show them they already have a solid foundation of employable skills—they just need to recognise and build on them.
6. Helping Young People Move Forward: A Heart-Centered Approach
Using these approaches, it’s absolutely possible to help young people move beyond their sense of stuckness—whether it’s social anxiety, lack of confidence, or difficulty recognising their own potential. But ultimately, this isn’t just about techniques or training sessions.
At its core, this is heart-based work. It requires patience, genuine care, and a commitment to seeing young people for who they are—not just where they currently feel stuck. And to do this effectively, we need a diverse range of staff who can connect with young people in different ways, offering perspectives, encouragement, and the right kind of challenge to help them grow.
When young people feel seen, heard, and supported, they begin to step forward. They start to recognise their strengths, build confidence, and re-engage with the world. And that’s where real transformation happens.