>>508443402I work in the agricultural industry, making a product that doesn't do enough volume for automation to be worth it. I can't speak to the encroachment of AI into admin jobs, but I would recommend looking at sectors where that isn't a possibility or there is likely to be cultural pushback against it.
>Just get a trade, brois a meme at this point, but not without good reason.
Large employers have wanted for some time to automate the bulk of jobs which require employees to sit on their arse punching away at a keyboard, however companies that are selling or servicing products that are niche enough that dealing with the customer requires a little bit of applied knowledge will be the last to automate their customer service.
It sounds as though you've been applying for roles at large companies, banks, retail chains etc. I would be looking at small/medium businesses headquartered in your local area. If you know anyone that works around your town's industrial estate, get them to ask around for you.
As other posters have said, in many cases knowing one well-connected person can be more useful to your career than a degree and years of experience. I'm not necessarily talking about networking in the 'standing round a hotel fountain drinking shit champage with a bunch of pinstripe-wearing coke addicts' sense, more the 'someone with money thinks you're alright' kind.
I got my start because a very well-connected butcher shop owner bought weed off me when I was a teenager, and he introduced me to enough farmers, enough of whom had the same issue that I was able to raise the funds to make a product I already knew would sell.
TLDR if you don't have really impressive qualifications and experience off the bat, look for roles at smaller businesses whose owners are much less swayed by that stuff. I've had retarded graduates and invaluable retards.