New Delhi: Entering the workforce for freshers has become harder as compared to five years back, with seven out of 10 young jobseekers finding it difficult to get their first job, reported Financial Express, citing Indeed’s Fresher Hiring Report.As compared to 3-5 years back, at present freshers have limited access to internships, with 72% of the respondents saying that entry-level jobs demand prior experience and 61% rarely hear back after applying.A significant finding of the study is that despite wanting to focus on learning and long-term career goals, young jobseekers have to prioritise their necessities instead of the the roles aligned to their aims and ideals.Only 14% of the respondents said they expected their first job to match their preferred role, company and location.A large chunk of the respondents (43%) said that their career decisions are being influenced by financial pressures and lack of opportunities, reported Financial Express.The study highlights the fact that there is limited availability of avenues that could help candidates gain experience before entering the job market.Among the respondents, only 20% said that they had access to paid internships during their studies, while 18% said they didn’t have any access to internships, projects, placements or freelance opportunities.Almost half of the respondents (49%) said that their biggest challenge was to get identified while 61% said they rarely or almost never hear back after applying for jobs.A concerning factor revealed in the study is the fact that around 64% of respondents said that repeated applications and rejections had taken a toll on their confidence or motivation, while only 20% said they currently feel on track with their intended career path.“It is becoming a long and uncertain phase filled with constant applications, delayed responses and growing pressure to compromise. Employers who create clearer entry pathways, invest in potential and provide young candidates with opportunities to learn on the job will be better positioned to build stronger talent pipelines over the long term,” Rohan Sylvester, talent strategy advisor at Indeed told Financial Express.