What it takes to land a job as a new grad right now
The Senior-Year Job Hunt: Navigating a Tougher Market with Strategy and Patience
For many college seniors, the most challenging assignment this spring isn't a final paper or capstone project—it's landing that first post-graduation job.
While graduates are still finding roles, the process increasingly demands more time, persistence, and strategic thinking, according to campus career advisors speaking with Business Insider.
"Soon-to-be graduates are getting jobs, but job searches are long, and hiring is slow," said Jennifer Neef, executive director of the career center at the University of Illinois.
The Data Tells the Story
The headwinds are visible in the numbers. The unemployment rate for recent college graduates climbed to approximately 5.7% by the end of 2025, up from 5.3% in the third quarter, per the New York Federal Reserve. Underemployment is also rising: 42.5% of graduates now work in positions that typically don't require a degree—the highest rate since 2020.
Compounding the challenge, the landscape of available roles is shifting. At Wake Forest University, overall job postings through the career office have increased year-over-year, but there are fewer entry-level openings in traditional fields like marketing, finance, and HR—particularly for roles centered on routine analysis or administrative tasks, noted Andy Chan, who leads the school's Office of Personal and Career Development.
"These roles still exist, but the companies don't need as many people to do them," Chan explained.
So how should graduates adapt? Business Insider consulted several university career center leaders for their top recommendations.
1. Embrace the "Stepping-Stone" Mindset
Flexibility is non-negotiable. Matt Augeri, director of operations and strategic initiatives at the University of Iowa's career center, advises grads to clarify their priorities while remaining open to detours.
Want to live in a specific city? You may need to accept a role that isn't your dream job—at first. Augeri encourages students to consider "stepping-stone roles" that build transferable skills aligned with longer-term goals.
"Hiring is essentially flat, so students are going to need to be thinking about option A, B, and C," he said.
2. Tap Into the Hidden Job Market
In a sluggish market, relationships create an advantage. Networking matters now more than ever—not just for uncovering opportunities, but for sustaining motivation during what can be a marathon search.
Chan points out that hiring processes have grown "even more opaque," partly because employers are offering fewer formal entry-level training programs. Simultaneously, "hidden job market opportunities" are on the rise: roles filled through connections rather than public job boards.
Making genuine connections also helps candidates stand out. While students can use AI to craft tailored résumés, employers are using AI to screen them—creating an arms race of optimization. And because applying has never been easier (a few clicks, or even AI-driven auto-applications), recruiters report being flooded with submissions. Personal referrals and authentic outreach cut through the noise.
3. Show, Don't Just Tell
Entry-level jobs aren't disappearing—but expectations have evolved. Employers now seek candidates who can contribute beyond basic administrative, data, or research tasks.
"As AI becomes more capable, employers are looking for candidates to do the same," Chan said. "They want people who can be effective in these roles at a higher level."
To prove readiness, graduates should point to tangible experience—whether from a part-time job, class project, student organization, or even a personal hobby. Internships remain especially critical, Augeri added, noting that many employers actively scan résumés for this kind of hands-on background.
"They want to hear about it in interviews," he said.
4. Demonstrate AI Fluency
Most seniors began college shortly before ChatGPT's late-2022 debut. After years of exposure, the ability to use AI thoughtfully is now a baseline expectation.
Showcasing AI proficiency signals adaptability—a trait that likely defined much of their college experience. More importantly, it demonstrates immediate value: grads who can leverage AI tools in entry-level work "can actually add value more quickly," Chan said.
"If you want to win the job, you want to actually have these experiences, know how to talk about them, and why they're relevant to this employer," he emphasized.
Augeri notes that demand for AI literacy is appearing across industries—even in non-technical roles. Rather than vanishing, many entry-level positions are now "infused with this need for AI and discussion of AI."
5. Practice Patience—With Yourself and the Process
When offers do come, timelines are stretching. Kathleen Powell, chief career officer at William & Mary, observes that some employers are pushing start dates from one month out to three.
"They keep moving the end zone," Powell said.
Graduates—and their families—should brace for a process that may span months and involve multiple interview rounds. Augeri's advice is simple but essential: "Start early and be patient."
**The Bottom Line**: The path from campus to career is less linear than it once was. But with strategic flexibility, proactive networking, demonstrable skills (including AI fluency), and realistic expectations, graduates can still navigate this market successfully—one stepping stone at a time.