Students looking for summer work are struggling to land roles, as there's enormous competition for entry-level roles.

Retail NZ says businesses are seeing a 'much higher calibre' of potential applicants looking for jobs.

Swivel Careers founder Kate Ross says even people with full qualifications are finding it tough to land the right roles.

"There's just not enough work out there right now. The economy has been slow all year - the opportunities, even for retail and hospitality, that's all slowed down and that's generally where students out of school get their weekends in there."

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