Recruitment, entry level down 18.8% in one year

That the first job is never forgotten is even more true today than in the past, given the increasing difficulty for young people to enter the job market in a way that satisfies them. Data from LinkedIn's new First Job Barometer says that globally 88% of those entering the job market do not feel prepared. Many struggle to transform or evolve their skills. In Italia, so-called entry-level hiring is down 18.8% year-on-year. Opportunities are increasingly concentrated in administrative, support and public-facing roles, while traditional paths are less accessible.

"Those who enter the world of work today are faced with more opportunities but also with greater complexity," says Olga Farreras Casado, Career Expert at LinkedIn Italia. There is no longer a linear or 'right' path for everyone: the ability to adapt, learn quickly and read the context makes the difference. This is why it is essential to strengthen the link between training and work, helping young people to translate what they have studied into practical and spendable skills. Even the newest roles need to be 'unpacked' in skills: when you can describe them clearly, it is easier to understand if they are in line with your path. Talent today is not only what you can do, but how fast you can evolve'.

The growing roles are those where hybrid profiles capable of combining creativity, business and technology are in demand. In the top ten, the content producer ranks first, followed by the event assistant, international sales specialist, Ai engineer, event coordinator, client manager, aerospace engineer, quality control technician, legal assistant and tax accountant.

For younger people, opportunities are concentrated among public administration, entertainment, IT & Media and financial services, with transversal roles between marketing, communication and business development. In parallel, artificial intelligence is confirmed as an increasingly in-demand skill in various career paths. At the sectoral level, the slowdown in hiring is widespread, but with different intensities: sectors such as Entertainment (-6.4%) and Accommodation & Food Services (-11.5%) show greater resilience, while Education (-31.2%) and Healthcare (-25.9%) register more significant declines.

Data from the LinkedIn barometer reveal some structural criticalities of the Italia context, which mainly concern low wages and precariousness. Even when they manage to get a first job, many young people report difficulties in achieving real economic independence: 37% indicate that their main obstacle is an insufficient salary compared to the cost of living, while 28% cite job instability, linked to short or temporary contracts. A further 25% also state that they cannot find opportunities in their city and are therefore considering a move.