Twenty-one-year-old Sanjay DeSilva graduated from the Berkeley Institute with GCSEs in maths and business.He was also the runner up for the Bermuda International Business Award at the school.However the father-of-one has been rejected for a range of jobs he has applied for including a receptionist, courier, postman, typist and customer service representative.When he applied for a trainee job at the Department of Customs he was told he should try and find part-time work as a cashier first, as he didn't have the necessary experience.His resume states: “My objective is to obtain a position where I can use my computer, clerical and excellent customer service skills.“I am an extremely quick learner and always up for a challenge. I wish to establish myself into a company where I can grow and become an asset rather than a liability.”He graduated from high school with the Bermuda School Certificate in 2007.He has since found work in Government's summer employment programme and been hired as a sales associate and an office assistant.When he went looking for work at the Hustle Truck they told him his resume looked more suited to administrative work and put him to work in their office.“The Hustle Truck works by rotations, so that everyone gets a chance to earn some money,” he said. “When I went to the Hustle Truck they said I had the background to work in the office. I worked there for two months and now it is someone else's turn.”He was hired at the Hustle Truck office for approximately two months before he had to move on.Someone at the office put him in touch with Youth on the Move coordinator Carlton Simmons.The organisation did not have any full time work for him but hired him part time to help set up their office. Mr Simmons said Mr DeSilva was a great worker.“He catches on really quickly,” Mr Simmons said. “He was reading some of the material we have from the UN on youth programmes and was mentioning things I had not thought about.“He is very professional. If we could hire him full-time, we would.”Mr DeSilva, whose son Cruz is 17 months, said he has been stressed and demoralised by the constant job hunt. He lives with his mother, as he cannot afford his own place.“I share custody [of my son with his] mother so I worry about supporting him,” he said. “When I get a job I take care of that first, I pay what I am supposed to pay, sometimes a few months in advance so that that is definitely covered.“It's about $600 a month for food, diapers and day care. I don't worry about the basics because I know I will make it happen, but I would like to be able to buy him toys sometimes.“As a father that is hard because you always want the best for your kids.”Mr DeSilva said at this point he isn't picky about what type of job he would take.When asked if he had applied for the kitchen porter jobs Economy Minister Kim Wilson has implored people to take he said: “I don't have problem washing dishes, but I share custody of my child.“His mother has him for two days, then I have him for two days, then his mother has him for five and I have him for five. I can't work night jobs because I have to take care of my son when he is not in day care.”Mr DeSilva says he has applied for hundreds of jobs and the constant rejection has been hard, especially when he is told he needs more experience.“How am I supposed to get experience if no-one is willing to hire me,” he asked. “There are more people looking for jobs and I think employers are being very specific for what they are looking for.“I also think they are hiring people older than me, people who are more mature and have more experience.”Employers interested in speaking with Mr DeSilva can contact him on 331-9696 or swa.desilva[AT]yahoo.com.Students at the Adult Education Centre had a similar experience as Mr DeSilva.Jewels Fox, 18, said: “It seems like to get a job you have to know someone. You go into a store and ask ‘Are you hiring any cashiers?' and they say no.“Then you walk back in the next week and there are all these new people working there. It's hard because I have to pay for my education and books.“I have a part-time job at the moment, which helps, but I am looking for one with more hours.”Karen Johnson, 21, said: “As a single mother it's very hard for me. I am trying to finish my school.“You have to have your GED or two years' minimum experience for any job out there. I have applied to be a shampoo girl, sales assistant and to work with computers but I haven't found a job.”Useful websites: www.berkeley.bm