From on-again-off-again tariffs, economic uncertainty, and layoffs, fresh graduates are in one of the toughest job markets in recent history. More than half do not have a job lined up by the time they graduate, and the unemployment rate for young degree holders is the highest it’s been in 12 years, not counting the pandemic.
Technological advancements are further making the situation harder, as artificial intelligence (AI) has wormed its way into the workforce, cannibalizing the number of entry-level jobs available. What’s a young grad to do?
I interviewed hiring managers, career advisers, and college students, and in this piece you’ll learn:
- What out-of-work new grads need to be doing right now in their “limbo”
- How to identify industries that are hiring you may never have thought of
- The right approach to developing AI literacy to stand out
1. Use limbo productively
What several recent college grads refer to as “limbo,” the time period between graduation and employment, is often regarded as an excruciating phase of uncertainty. Experts recommend using this time as an opportunity for gaining experience outside of traditional corporate work.
Gig work and seasonal jobs like events and festivals can be a great opportunity to pick up some work experience, hone soft skills such as team work and attention to detail, and make some extra cash and contacts.
Adam Stafford, CEO of AI-powered recruitment platform Recuritics, says he is often impressed by young applicants who take on gig work while searching for jobs. “I see somebody who comes into our organization says, ‘I got out of college and I worked my tail off for three or four months while I was looking,’ that shows me that is somebody who’s got hustle,” Stafford says.
If it’s not possible to find gig work, volunteering is also a good way to gain experience. Volunteering can help provide actionable examples of leadership and teamwork to share during job interviews if you have little to no work experience, Lucrecia Borgonovo, chief talent and organizational effectiveness officer at Mastercard, points out.
“Even though you’re not necessarily acquiring a job, volunteering is a really great way to gain a lot of experience,” she says.
In addition, it’s important to keep applying to jobs, even if it feels like you’re not getting anywhere. Having a routine can help. Cherena Walker, executive director of career and professional development at Stevens Institute of Technology, recommends treating job applications like a college course. For instance, applicants can learn from their own college schedule to determine what days and times they work best in, allotting that time for applying as if it were a class.
“If you do that on a regular cadence, you’ll get a whole lot more done,” Walker says. “That’s a lot more focused, and you can have the rest of the time to yourself.”
2. Be flexible and look at the big picture
As AI makes its way into the workforce, its impact will be greatly felt among entry-level jobs. Just a few months ago, Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei told Axios that AI could be responsible for wiping out about half of white collar entry-level jobs in the coming years. The best way to ride the wave? Be okay with going into fields you hadn’t thought of and look ahead, experts tell Fast Company.
“While the idea that it’s unlikely to land the perfect job straight out of college isn’t exactly groundbreaking, I think we still spend too much time searching for the exact role or location that aligns perfectly with our experience,” Jamie Shearer, an account executive at communications agency Pinkston who writes about postgrad experiences on LinkedIn, shared via email. “This can leave new grads with a frustratingly narrow field of opportunities.”
Stafford suggests grads look into industries that are hiring, where there might be a skill overlap. For instance, he notes there’s a high demand for applicants in the healthcare, aerospace, and defense industries, which might be a great fit for applicants who were previously looking for tech jobs. Additionally, thinking about broader economic trends might better position young professionals in the workforce.
“Step back and look at the global economic environment,” Stafford advises. “Where are governments investing? Where are big companies investing? Those all then start to flow into the private sector.”
Stafford says Europe’s ongoing rearming efforts are making aerospace and defense industries a booming market for young talent. “Regardless of how you think or feel about that whole movement, it is creating a lot of economic opportunity,” he says.
Even for grads who are looking to stay in an industry, considering new specializations is vital. Angela Tran, a 2024 graduate and current account executive at Astrsk PR, struggled to find work after her internship in public relations for lifestyle and beauty ended. However, she was able to find a job after pivoting to tech PR.
“I didn’t know that I was going to enjoy it, and I didn’t know I was going to be good at it,” Tran says. “It was an eye-opener for me, that I should try new things in different sectors.”
3. Intentionally upskill yourself
It is no surprise AI literacy is the most coveted skill for young employees entering the workforce. This year, LinkedIn named it the top skill on the rise. According to research from Autodesk, 46% of employers say AI skills are a priority for hiring over the next three years.
These tools can include everything from LLMs like ChatGPT, or industry-specific tools like Adobe’s AI-powered features for the design field.
Yet it’s easy to forget that ChatGPT was released in 2022, during most recent graduates’ sophomore or junior year in college.
“AI is table stakes, it’s no longer optional,” says Mary Hope McQuiston, VP of education experiences at Autodesk. “If you’re a young grad, make sure you are learning how to work with AI tools, don’t wait if your school isn’t preparing you.”
AI literacy is not only about learning how to write prompts, but also looking into what specific AI tools are used in an applicant’s industry.
“Do your homework and be really intentional about acquiring those skills, whether it is through formal learning like taking a course, or through projects, getting a mentor, like learning from a colleague,” Borgonovo says.
For those who did not have access to AI resources in college, recent grads can sign up for free online courses, teach themselves how to write prompts for LLMs via trial and error, or even ask industry professionals what tools they use at work to get a head start.
And, as the technology quickly evolves, staying consistent and curious on technology is key to keep up. “It’s kind of like a gym. You go to a gym, you try a bunch of different machines, you set up a practice, and you slowly build the muscle,” McQuiston adds.
4. Lean into soft skills
The times are changing so quickly that when fresh graduates entered college they were told STEM degrees were a must. Now, it seems that humanities are making a comeback, as AI can’t replace human skills—yet.
Honing in on human skills will give applicants an edge over traditionally hard-skill-based applicants. Conflict mitigation was second to AI literacy, on LinkedIn’s skills on the rise.
“When I talk to our commercial customers, they are not just looking for technical skills, because those are going to constantly change. They’re looking for folks who are effective at problem solving, communication, collaboration, leadership,” McQuiston says. “AI raises the floor . . . but human ingenuity is going to raise the ceiling.”
What is great about soft skills is they may come from everyday experiences, and applicants who learn how to leverage those during interviews can set themselves apart, experts say.
“You have transferable skills from past experiences. Don’t be afraid to talk about how you think they can link to the job. It shows you’ve thought about the job seriously,” says Robert Whitehouse, SVP of business partnership and talent acquisition for MiQ Digital across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America.
5. Network strategically
Both experts and recent graduates who have scored a job agree that one of the most powerful tools for entering the job market is networking. But, good networking looks different from the now-common mass messaging on LinkedIn. The key is to be targeted and intentional with relationship building.
Avalon Fenster, the founder of Internship Girl, an online community that offers advice for early-career women, emphasizes that applicants often rely on vertical networking like reaching out to executives from companies. Instead, Avalon suggests also prioritizing building strong relationships with peers.
“Some of the most powerful networking is with people who are in the beginning level, who are in their first job,” Fenster says. “Those are the people who really know what it’s like to have broken through this glass floor and will be able to give the most current, relevant advice.”
