Why Recent College Graduates Struggle to Find Jobs and How to Succeed
The unemployment rate for recent college graduates is steadily increasing, and is now higher than that of the general population. This may come at a surprise to many as healthy labor market indicators hide the particular difficulties that new graduates face transitioning into the workforce. Even the most accomplished and illustrious graduates feel the sting of many rejection letters with little to no feedback, being ghosted by recruiters, and slow-rolled through recruitment processes with very few meaningful interviews.
So why are college graduates finding it so difficult and what can they do about it? Let's take a deeper dive.
Why Is It So Hard for Recent College Graduates to Find a Decent Job?
In today's competitive job market, recent college graduates face significant challenges in securing decent employment. Several factors contribute to this predicament, including:
High Competition
Job openings, especially entry-level positions, attract a vast number of applicants, making it hard for any single candidate to stand out. More Americans are graduating with college degrees than ever before and are flooding the market for emerging professionals. What's more, the demand for quality, entry-level roles has not been met in the labor market and the situation is not expected to increase in the short term.
AI in Hiring
With the rise in technology, many companies use AI and automated systems to screen resumes. These systems can filter out promising candidates based on keyword matches as well as more standard criteria such as experience and qualifications requirements. However, such technology lacks the expertise of a human recruiter who can read between the lines of a resume to see the whole person. An experienced recruiter can recognize skills, experiences, and strengths that would be a good fit for the role, but those attributes may not fall within the parameters of the automated screening criteria, and the candidate’s application will therefore be rejected before a recruiter has even seen it.
Experience Requirements
Paradoxically, many entry-level jobs demand several years of experience, which recent graduates typically lack. In an employer’s market, employers are demanding more than the role truly needs, meaning graduates don't feel like they can or should apply (more than they would have done normally!).
Mismatch of Skills
There's often a disconnect between the skills employers seek and what recent graduates possess. Graduates may find that their academic training doesn't align perfectly with industry needs and soft skills such as work ethic, critical thinking, time management and communication are being cited by employers as being a weakness in emerging professionals.
Misleading Job Listings
Job seekers frequently encounter misleading job postings as entry-level jobs are inaccurately labeled and often actually require five years of experience. Companies will also post fake jobs that don’t exist to keep them relevant in the labor market or as a way to screen resumes for possible future positions.
Economic Factors
Broader economic issues, such as recession or industry-specific downturns, also impact the availability of suitable jobs for new graduates. For example, the recent layoffs and reductions in workforce across tech companies and the financial sector shrinks the market for entry level work in those industries. The threat of recession in recent years has also made many employers money conscious, maintaining only lean workforces. On the bright side job opportunities within healthcare, hospitality and leisure, government jobs, and childcare do remain robust.
Image Problems
Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) are suffering from an image problem with some employers. Employers cite that Gen Z employees are unprepared for the workforce especially in terms of softer skills like time management. They are sometimes described as disloyal through being prone to job hopping, and individuals from that age bracket are also often perceived as demanding and entitled in terms of compensation, career development, and flexibility.
So with all of that in mind, what can be done about it if you find yourself in that position?
Strategies for Success and How to Improve Your Chances
Finding a decent job after college is challenging for recent graduates due to several factors, including those mentioned above. Despite these obstacles, there are strategies that recent graduates can employ to improve their chances of landing that all-important first job:
1.Network: Building and leveraging professional networks can uncover hidden job opportunities and provide valuable referrals. Reach out to former professors, career counselors, family, friends, and alumni, and also make sure to attend networking events, career fairs, and industry conferences. Join the professional body for your chosen field and attend related local events to continue expanding your network, and follow the companies you want to work with on social media, particularly LinkedIn. Mentally prepare a 2-3 sentence description of what you are looking for and share it with people you meet – you never know when a casual conversation can result in a lead or opportunity.
2.Tailor Applications: Customizing resumes and cover letters to align closely with job descriptions can help candidates pass through automated screening systems. In your cover letter make sure that you emphasize the specific qualifications, experience and skills that you possess, matched with the recruiter is looking for. State your interest in the company convincingly and persuasively, and repeat key words or phrases from the job description that you personify to maximize your chances of passing a keyword screening scan.
3.Project Professionalism: Keep polishing your interview skills by preparing interview responses and getting practice answering questions. Ensure your clothes are appropriate for both online or in person interviews, and complete an audit of your social media presence to carefully curate the professional image you want to convey.
4.Gain Experience: Pursue internships, volunteer work, part time or unpaid work in your chosen field. You could also consider freelance or self-employed status to build up a body of work ahead of getting a permanent position. A portfolio of relevant experience will make you more attractive to employers, and actively keeping good records of what you’re learning and skills you're acquiring can help you keep your resume and LinkedIn profile updated.
5.Engage in Continuous Learning: Continuing to learn and take part in professional development can help bridge any skills gaps, while also demonstrating a commitment to growth and adaptability. Take advantage of online courses and certification that add to your knowledge or skills, and make sure they're highlighted in your application materials.
6. Persevere: Go into this process knowing that it may take a while and that’s not a reflection on you, but of the current labor market. Try to stay positive and patient, remaining focused on the type of job you want. If circumstances allow, don’t accept a role that is not right for you – you are more likely to stay in that role for longer than intended, and it will only serve as a distraction to looking for the role you want!
7.Start Early: According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), around 56% of interns are offered full-time positions at the companies where they interned. So while you’re still in college, start the foundational work for your eventual job search early. Internships are a great leg up for graduates, and being known to the employer can give you a real advantage in the market. Also have a think about using the career counseling services regularly throughout your college journey, using your college contacts, and employer research to get referrals and target applications. It's also worth taking advice on which minor could prove supportive to the field that you’re interested in.
8.Be Flexible: To increase your chances of finding relevant work that supports your long term career goals, flexibility will be key. This may be flexibility on where the role is, what your hours are, or how willing you are to be in person at first, over a hybrid or remote arrangement. The less restrictive you can be early on in your professional journey, the more opportunities that may be available to you.
9.Time Your Application: Generally, undergraduates will start to look for work between the December and May of their senior year. Make sure you are on the early side of this, or time your application push outside of this window to avoid peak competition, particularly if you have resume-enhancing activities the summer after senior year.
10.Flex Your Gen Z Muscles: Despite the image problems detailed above, Gen Z are expected to make up 30% of the workforce by 2030 and employers will need to adapt to harness their considerable abilities. There are many strengths to promote with that in mind, such as being part of the first fully digital generation and having all the technological skills that come with that. Employers report that Gen Z are much more diverse and inclusive and committed to social justice, so this is another benefit to promote along the way. Gen Z individuals also often self advocate well, are committed to their own professional development and advancement, and respect the rights of employees to have flexibility and balance. Forward thinking employers will respect these qualities, and you should highlight and showcase them wherever possible.
While the job market presents challenges for recent college graduates, understanding the factors at play and adopting effective job search strategies can enhance your prospects. By understanding the impact of high competition for jobs, economic factors, and the impact of emerging technologies, the new graduate can plan their job search more thoughtfully.
By focusing on networking, recruitment skills, and highlighting key strengths, as per the points listed above, graduates can navigate the competitive landscape more successfully and improve their chances of finding meaningful employment.
We wish you all the very best of luck in your job search -- if you're need of support, why not: