Why Is It So Hard For Recent College Graduates To Find A Decent Job?

In a viral TikTok video, Gen-Zer Lohanny Santos broke down in tears as she shared an update on her postgraduate job search, an experience she says has “humbled” her. Santos, who earned dual degrees from Pace University and speaks three languages, stood there with a stack of résumés, after many failed attempts to secure a job in-person at several minimum-wage gigs.

Young adults are having a challenging time finding good, well-paying jobs. The job market is extremely competitive, as more and more Americans attain college degrees. Furthermore, employers are requiring unrealistic professional experience for entry-level positions, making it difficult for recent graduates to compete in the job market. If you conduct a search for “entry-level” jobs on LinkedIn, you’ll see job listings requiring three to five or more years of relevant experience.

A 2023 college pulse survey by LendEDU found that less than half of all college graduates are confident about their career prospects after leaving campus.

Two in five recent graduates say their colleges did not adequately teach them the skills to emotionally and mentally navigate a transition into the workforce, a separate survey by the Mary Christie Institute highlighted.

Unemployed Or Overemployed

A recent report by Intelligent, an online magazine dedicated to student life, revealed that 38% of employers avoid hiring recent college graduates. Around 58% of managers, directors and executives in the United States say this cohort is unprepared for the workforce.

According to the surveyed employers, young adults fail to hold eye contact during job interviews, have unrealistic salary expectations, dress inappropriately for the job interviews, refuse to turn their cameras on during virtual calls and some recent grads even bring their parents to the interviews.

“Employers need to recognize that, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, young people graduating from college had more than two years of disruption in their education as well as their social and professional development,” said Diane Gayeski, Ph.D., professor of strategic communications at Ithaca College.

Although young adults are contending with the aftereffects of a global pandemic, the unemployment rate for recent grads has been low compared to other demographics since 1990, but that gap has recently widened, the Washington Post reported.

The disparity can be attributed partly to the fact that the sectors experiencing the talent shortages are not necessarily industries in which recent graduates desire to work. Meanwhile, hot sectors, like tech, are undergoing staggered layoffs.

The number of young adults who are underemployed—working jobs below their skills or ability—increased to 40% in 2023, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

A Reddit post under the heading “Why is it SO HARD to find an entry-level job?” reflected on a recent graduate’s frustration with the job search, having applied to over 500 positions and receiving minimal responses. The thread highlights the challenges of securing entry-level positions despite having a bachelor’s degree.

u/Rapadapto, who has dual degrees in economics and data analytics, wrote, “I don’t have any professional work experience, but I have worked 3-4 service/clerical oriented jobs and have picked up many skills throughout my academia. I know I would fit in well in a professional setting but I am unable to find that breakthrough opportunity. Not to sound arrogant, but why are employers turning down a Bachelor’s degree holder for a job that pays $30,000 a year? Am I really that underqualified in the job market right now? I desperately would like to avoid going back to fast food services, but that’s looking like my only option currently.”

The Redditor added that out of the more than 500 positions applied to, only two interviews were granted. Both times, the person was ghosted and didn’t receive any responses or feedback as to why they were passed over.

How Recent College Graduates Can Gain Work Experience

By pursuing the following avenues, recent college graduates can proactively gain work experience, develop their skills and increase their marketability to potential employers while navigating the job search process.

• Securing internships in their field of study or interest can provide valuable hands-on experience and help bridge the gap between education and employment.
• Engaging in volunteer work allows graduates to develop and demonstrate their skills, expand their network and gain practical experience that can enhance their résumé.
• Taking on part-time roles, even if not directly related to their field, can help recent graduates develop transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving.
• Pursuing freelance projects or gig work can help build a portfolio and gain practical experience.
• Enrolling in professional development courses or obtaining certifications can enhance recent graduates’ skill sets and make them more competitive in the job market.
• Building and leveraging professional networks can lead to opportunities for mentorships, apprenticeships, informational interviews or short-term project work that can help them gain valuable experience.