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1. Getting nowhere

Dear Sir,

My daughter, Bonnie, left school two months ago and now she's looking for her first job. The problem is that companies always say they want people with experience, but how can she get experience if nobody gives her a job?

She goes online every day and looks at the job adverts, but there's nothing for people like her. At the moment she's doing some cleaning for our neighbours to earn a bit of money, but she needs a real job.

Mr Melton

Manchester

2. Experience doesn't count

Dear Sir,

I read your report on unemployment in yesterdays paper and I'm writing to tell you how it feels to be unemployed. I'm 54 years old and I worked for an engineering company for 17 years until it closed down four months ago.

I'm applying for every job I can, but I never get an interview because people think I'm too old - it's very frustrating. I've got a lot of experience in engineering and I want to work. I just need someone to give me a chance.

Harry Thompson