Although millions of young people globally are searching desperately for a job there are many who have bucked the unemployment trend and have successfully taken their first step on the career ladder.
Here are some more stories about youth unemployment around the world, how they succeeded in these tough circumstances, and what advice they would give to others still searching.
Tom Gibby, 23, Trainee Solicitor, Nottingham, UK
'A willingness to volunteer is also vital as it illustrates that you care about more than just yourself'
Getting a first job as a trainee solicitor was the hardest challenge I ever faced.
I have emerged from the process a stronger, tougher and better person, having learned vital skills to survive in both a tough profession and economic world.
To cross the line, I had to show dedication to the legal profession. This I did through working, unpaid and funding my own expenses, at nine firms every holiday. I needed teamwork and leadership skills, which I acquired through getting involved in university activities, and experience in the workplace which I got by working in a supermarket and a local restaurant.
A willingness to volunteer is also vital as it illustrates that you care about more than just yourself.
Also crucial is business acumen. It is simple to get, given how easy it is to access information online and via television programmes. Taking notes of the key points and issues gives you enough to have an opinion and so score points at interview.
Laura Hoskins, 24, Assistant Manager, La Libertad, Peru
'Perseverance is key'
Immediately after leaving university I was lucky to land a seven-month unpaid internship at the Oxfam campaigns office in Manchester in the UK.
However, my dream was to work for an non-government organisation in Peru and so I decided the only way to launch my career was to study for a masters in international development.
Finding my first job wasn't as stressful as I'd imagined. In fact, my first application landed me my dream job. I worked extremely hard for my interviews and here I am today in a small town in northern Peru using both of my degrees.
I believe that by gaining as much relevant experience as possible during and after university and being willing to start at the bottom have paid off. It really made the quest for my first (and dream) job relatively pain-free.
Use any contacts you might have in your area of work who can help you source job vacancies and just apply for everything you can - perseverance is key!
Bahruz Naghiyev, 25, Treasury Controller, Baku, Azerbaijan
‘Be willing to accept new challenges and risks so you can discover just how far you can really go'
I started working when I was still in college in the US.
Unfortunately things didn't go the way I was planning and due to the economic crisis, investment firms started laying off foreigners so my chances of getting hired by one of them was almost zero.
I decided to go back to Azerbaijan where I went through several exams and interviews before I finally got my first full-time job at Pasha Bank as a treasury controller.
I believe achievements don't come with strength but with perseverance. The traits which most successful people have in common are perseverance, persistence and determination.
The key to success is being able to develop these characteristics, stay passionate about your ambitions and be able to take a risk when necessary.
If you would like to get your dream job you need to persistently improve yourself, be willing to accept new challenges and risks so you can discover just how far you can really go.
Gebe George, 27, Marketing Specialist, Manama, Bahrain
'Keep studying even if you have to work at the same time'
I am an Indian who was educated in Bahrain and finished my masters in Australia. I am currently working as a marketing specialist for Techno Blue, which represents Samsung in the country.
I was unemployed for nine months and was finally ready to call it quits and return to India when I got an interview call from the company for a role in logistics.
I went along but the chief executive officer refused to employ me. He told me that he hated to see a person like me stuck behind a desk and instead gave me the marketing role. He was aware I did not have much experience but guaranteed full support and mentoring. I said yes immediately.
Though I found it extremely hard to find a decent job in Bahrain, I did not lose hope. Bahrain is home to me, and although I am not a Bahraini passport holder I love this tiny island with a certain passion.
Bahrain was also going through a tough year with all the protests taking place as part of the Middle East "revolution". Trade was bad and businesses were shutting down everywhere. But I kept at it.
I would advise other jobseekers to keep studying even if you have to work at the same time.
Ngoc Nguyen, 22, Sales Assistant, Saigon, Vietnam
‘Seize every chance going and step out of your comfort zones'
I'm working as a sales assistant in a furniture company - it's a job I started a few months ago.
My sister worked at the same company and when she decided to leave, she told me about the vacancy. She helped me send my curriculum vitae to the human resources department. But when I had the interview the boss was impressed with my English language skills - so it was a mixture of luck and talent.
At university I studied import-export business administration but I'm not really using my specialism much. I do like my job now as sometimes I have the chance to meet new customers and learn how to deal with them, solve problems and do the best I can. But I am still studying as I want to know more about foreign trade.
I would say seize every chance going and step out of your comfort zones.
Source: 30th September 2012, BBC News by Dhruti Shah
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