Graduates are entering a turbulent economy, with more competition for entry-level positions. Job postings have declined by 15%, while the number of applications has increased by 30%, according to a recent report from Handshake. Meg Oliver reports.

Ellington

Recent college graduates, such as Jamie Del Piano, are finding it increasingly difficult to secure employment despite strong academic credentials and relevant experience. A combination of fewer job postings, increased competition, and budget cuts in federal and state positions has led to a challenging job market for new entrants.

Studies show that most applications from graduates go unanswered, with very few resulting in interviews or job offers. Career experts recommend personalizing applications and networking, while advising employers to reconsider experience requirements in job descriptions. Graduates are encouraged to remain resilient as they navigate these obstacles.

College grads struggle to find jobs

So how organized are you? Very. 23-year-old Jamie Del Piano thought her credentials would stand out. A stellar GPA, a degree in psychology, a master's in public policy at the University of Connecticut. She graduated in May, hoping to land a job as a child advocate. How many applications have you sent out? Anywhere from like 10 to 20. What's the response been like? I haven't had enough experience. And that's, of course, challenging, because I can't get any experience without a job. A recent report shows graduates are entering a turbulent economy with more competition for entry-level positions. Job postings have declined by 15%, while the number of applications has increased by 30%. A lot of the jobs that I was looking for was like federal jobs or state jobs. Some of those jobs have been eliminated by budget cuts. So you're competing with people with a lot of experience. Exactly. Del Piano's frustrations are felt by job seekers around the country. They had each done multiple internships. They were parts of community groups. Ryan McGonigal is talking about his own interns at business.com, which helps small businesses looking to expand their reach. As they sent out resumes looking for work, he did a study tracking each one. Of the 311 applications those interns sent out, 87% didn't even get a response. Only five applicants received a scheduled interview, and the number of job offers, zero. Has it ever been this bad in the last decade? No. Valerie Martinelli is a career counselor. She advises taking a personal approach to each application. Write different cover letters, network in person, and steer clear of AI. Don't use AI for any of your application materials because what a lot of employers are saying, if they think you are using AI, they think it's disingenuous and it will automatically disqualify you. As for employers, Martinelli says they need to put the human touch back into human resources. What is your advice to HR managers and companies that are hiring right now? Take the three to five years experience off of your job descriptions. Del Piano is trying to remain optimistic, but with $15,000 in debt, it's not easy. What are you learning from this experience? I'm learning that you have to have grit. But grit alone won't get it done for this year's job hunting grads like Jamie Del Piano. They're going to need plenty of patience and resilience as well. For Eye on America, I'm Meg Oliver in Ellington, Connecticut.

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