Companies are already utilizing AI to reduce the number of individuals they plan to hire. Additionally, with and general , graduating college students are confronting a challenging ascent as they .
We teach at Harvard and Northwestern, and we have observed that even the most accomplished graduates are struggling to secure employment. Although the current economic environment is distinctive, it is not entirely unlike difficult labor markets of the past. We personally recall our experiences as newly-minted college graduates during the in 1987 and in the wake of the in 2002.
Based on the research and coaching we’ve conducted with over 1,000 individuals seeking employment, we have identified strategies job seekers can employ to find work—even within a demanding labor market.
When one is in college, the actual activities involved in different jobs and careers are frequently obscure. This was certainly true for us. Formal job titles and the designations of entire industries overwhelmed us before we had even explored what the day-to-day work actually entailed.
However, here is something we’ve learned since: Companies are not merely hiring people. When an individual decides to work somewhere, they are, in turn, also selecting their employer. Consequently, workers also serve as the ‘customers’ of prospective jobs. This implies that college graduates should learn how to ‘shop’ for employment.
When purchasing a new product, it is insufficient to merely consider the names and prices. Instead, we contemplate what it would be like to genuinely use the product—and whether it would aid us in making progress. Individuals might explore online forums like Reddit, thoroughly examine reviews, and consult friends who have encountered similar challenges.
Job seekers should adopt this same approach. Do not focus on the superficial attributes of a job—the title, the compensation, and so forth. Instead, concentrate on what you will actually perform. What are the specific duties and tasks? What career paths do different roles lead to? Where are the potential dead ends?
To gain insight into the daily work a job encompasses, we’ve found it is most effective to converse with individuals who currently hold the positions we are curious about. The crucial step is to ask questions about what people do on a daily and weekly basis. Then, determine if their activities align with what invigorates and drains you. This process will assist you in learning and refining your search.
It will also help you connect with people, which is essential. Most individuals do not secure jobs by indiscriminately applying to positions online. They obtain them through their professional network—according to estimates, at least and as high as of roles are filled in this manner.
That is another insight we wish we had known as recent graduates: jobs do not materialize simply because of the volume of applications you submit, or purely because of your resume. Most people find jobs by networking with individuals in the industries that interest them. This is precisely how it unfolded for both of us.
Finally, graduating students often exhibit impatience—for rapid success, financial rewards, prestigious titles, work-life balance, and more. However, what recent graduates, across all generations, struggle with is how to make necessary concessions in order to secure a job. The undeniable reality is that having a job is preferable to having no job.
Yes, there are inherent risks associated with accepting your first job offer. indicates that approximately half of students experience underemployment in their initial job—meaning they accept a position that does not require their college degree.
The risk associated with this is that five years later, nearly 90% of those who accept an ‘undermatched’ position are still underemployed. But simultaneously, we can inform you from experience that an ideal job does not exist. Everyone—even the most successful CEO—must make compromises within their role.
Those who achieve success in the job market learn to embrace tradeoffs to make judicious choices. In other words, they do not merely ‘settle’. They are intentional about selecting what specific negative aspects their job will entail, so that they can attain the things that matter most to them. To achieve this, individuals must possess a clear understanding of their own priorities.
In the initial stages of one’s career, job seekers should be prepared to forgo things like prestigious titles for the opportunity to gain genuine mentorship and practical, impactful experience. Doing so can foster confidence and expand one’s professional network. Furthermore, employers value when applicants have demonstrated in work settings that they can complete tasks effectively.
By adopting a ‘customer’ approach, cultivating your professional network, and making wise decisions regarding compromises, recent graduates can optimally launch their careers—even when the labor market is in an unstable state.