For college graduates today, landing a first job is difficult—and in some areas more competitive—than it has been in years.

Postings for entry-level jobs are declining in many industries, unemployment for recent graduates is rising, and many of the tasks that once served as a stepping stone into the workforce—like administrative work, basic data entry, and basic coding—are increasingly being taken over by AI. In fact, the current unemployment rate for recent graduates between ages 22-27 is 5.6%, while overall unemployment has remained stagnant for months at 4.3%.

This disparity in unemployment is “not something that throughout history has been true all that often,” says Cory Stahle, senior economist at Indeed.

While the traditional entry-level playbook may be changing, that doesn’t mean opportunities have completely disappeared. Data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows that hiring demand for the class of 2026 is up 5.6%, but growth is uneven across sectors and employer types.

Here’s what experts say recent graduates can do to stand out in today’s market, regardless of industry.

Network Strategically Before You Apply for a Job

“One of the suggestions I have to anybody who's looking to enter the workforce is to make connections thoughtfully and strategically with an objective in mind,” says........

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