Why is it so hard to find a job?

Because Gordon Brown and the rest of the current Labour government have (along with a little extra help from the EU + the PC Brigade), as all Labour Governments before, made a complete -up of the economy.... banks are reluctant to lend money to businesses having got their fingers burned, businesses as a result can't afford to pay staff or buy stock or pay other bills... government taxes & regulation were making it expensive and difficult for businesses to employ people to begin with...