Dillan Schmitz just wants a summer job. Any summer job.

The second-year University of Calgary student has applied for at least 15 positions and has struck out.

"No one's hiring and obviously that's just because the way the economy is," he said.

The sluggish economy means some jobs that would have been perfect for students like Schmitz have been snapped up by laid off workers.

Many organizations simply aren't hiring at all.

"Right now, full-time intentions to hire are at an all-time low," said Amber Ruddy​, the Alberta director of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

"What we're experiencing is a third of businesses are unfortunately looking to cut back and only 13 per cent are looking to hire on within the next three months.

CFIB survey

She's referring to a survey of members sent out by her organization that looked at small business confidence and the willingness to hire in the near future.

"It's just absolutely enraging, the fact that this his how the economy has gone," said Schmitz. "It's not ideal, especially for us students who are the poorest of the bunch."

Ruddy said there are jobs in the tourism and hospitality industry, which is doing well in places like Canmore and Banff.

She said students need to meet business owners face-to-face in order to set themselves apart in this fiercely competitive market.