10/03/2026
Many jobseekers ask this question, not just once, but a lot of times to themselves. Is the problem with me or with something else? Some Gen Zs, in particular, are falling to the trap of hopelessness as they continuously send applications everyday and likewise getting rejections here and there. Survival of the fittest, literally.
As the labor force grew more quickly than employment, the unemployment rate in the Philippines increased to 6.1% in July 2026, the highest level in four years, leaving 3.14 million Filipinos unemployed (Sinaking, 2026). It is not that Filipino Gen Zs lack the talent and skills why they find it hard to land a decent job. It is because a lot of Filipino youth are entering the workforce that lacks the quality entry-level jobs as employers look for specific skills. It is not that jobs are scarce, but rather, the path to decent work is getting more competitive and uneven.
So where is the problem? The bigger problem is structural: skills mismatch, too few quality entry-level jobs, slow business growth, AI pressure on clerical/BPO work, and jobs concentrated in informal or low-paying sector (Asuncion, 2026). Businesses are hiring more cautiously due to rising operational costs and shifting business models (CNBC Make It). What the school teaches does not always match what the industry need (Son, 2023). Clerical, sales, service, and admin entry roles are being squeezed. Some tasks are being automated even before the young workers get their first job. The irony is that many junior positions require people who are just starting out to have years of experience, specialized credentials, and polished communication. As a result, the transition from school to the workforce is much more costly, time-consuming, and depressing. Moreover, Gen Z workers already in the workforce frequently switch jobs or leave roles to find better alignment, purpose, or higher pay. And moving between jobs creates periods of unemployment that stretch the hiring timeline (Bordey, 2024).
What Gen Zs should do: build proof not just a resume. Create a brief portfolio that includes projects, samples, case studies, or outcomes. Acquire useful skills and use AI as a co-pilot rather than a substitute for human judgment. Improve critical thinking, interviewing and communication skills. Consider internships, freelance work, training, and entry-level roles as launchpads. And find yourself – reflect on the career path that best suits your skill set and personality, and then, find the right employer who can offer and demonstrate the path to your objectives (Bordey, 2024).
However, the burden should not be on the Gen Z jobseekers alone. Stronger worker protections, apprenticeships, and high-quality jobs should be the responsibility of the government. Schools should match their curricula and career counseling to the actual demands of the labor market. Employers ought to stop treating “junior” like “mid-level” and provide paid training.
The labor market is changing fast and creating too few good steps for new workers. Gen Zs, keep building your edge by improving your skills but also keep asking for a better system that should be there for everyone.
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