NEW generations have unique skills to highlight on their CVs. Here James Bates, 17, who is living in his mum’s house while he looks for a job, advises on what will impress employers.
Operating my own YouTube channel
My channel where I review crisps and go off on long tangents about how women ruined Star Wars has over 15 subscribers. I plan to double that number by 2025. Could be useful for a career in TV, if the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 only showed programmes slagging off Ahsoka.
Speedrunning Super Mario
Okay, I’m not the world’s fastest speedrunner, or anywhere near the top one hundred. But if my mum is out for the night and I have enough Red Bull, I can clock the game in well under six hours. If I become a doctor I could speedrun operations and reduce waiting lists.
Knowing basically every Pokémon
I admit I don’t literally know all of them as there are over 1,000 now, but my millennial brother only knows the original 150 and I could name you all the ones up to Pokémon Moon. I’m thinking this could lead to a career with Nintendo, but my mum says McDonald’s on the high street is advertising for staff and it would be really useful for their next Pokémon promotion. Trust mum to set her sights low!
An interest in classical music
I have an old soul and as such enjoy older music more than modern stuff. My favourite classical artist is Britney Spears and I know almost all the words to her classic hit Genie in a Bottle. My burgeoning collection of classical music includes Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain’s Nirvana and Blur, but you won’t have heard of those.
Diagnosing mental distress
Most boomers walk around unaware they are suffering from mental health issues, and the least I can do is point out what’s wrong with them. I explained to my dad he’s on the autism spectrum, feels trapped by heteronormative definitions of gender, and probably suffers erectile dysfunction like most elderly males. Judging by his terse response, he has anger issues too.
