Title: First job experience at 19 in Delhi — some honest observations about the job market
First year B.Com student at Delhi University SOL here.
Spent the last week doing walk-ins across Saket and Malviya Nagar , cafés, sports stores, retail. I know English, have a commerce background, currently learning Excel, Python, Investment banking skills and business analytics. I study markets, profit and loss analysis, and financial data in my free time.
Despite all that, almost everywhere the answer was the same: "Do you have a reference?"
Eventually landed a kitchen job. 9 hours a day, 6 days a week. ₹15,000/month. The first day was genuinely eye opening — non stop work, no chair, one 30 minute break. Physically exhausting in a way I didn't expect.
Met a guy on his 3rd day who said he'd tried everywhere before ending up there. Capable, hardworking, just no connections.
Not complaining — every experience teaches something. But it made me wonder how young people in Delhi are actually navigating this without references or connections, especially those trying to break into business or tech roles.
Did anyone else face this starting out? How did you get your first real opportunity?