noun
employment ice age; job drought; period of poor employment opportunities
Refers to a period when it is extremely difficult for new graduates to find jobs, especially in Japan. Often used for the late 1990s to early 2000s.
就職氷河期世代は、今でも非正規雇用で苦しんでいる人が多い。
Many people from the employment ice age generation are still struggling in non-regular employment.
景気が悪化すると、また就職氷河期が来るかもしれない。
If the economy worsens, another employment ice age may come.