Graduation typically brings with it great excitement. And to get to this point, college graduates entering the job market today likely already had to navigate their studies during a pandemic, in addition to managing the costs and usual rigours of their academic preparation. They’ve also likely heard that degrees alone are no longer enough to land them that dream job, even in steadier economic times.
Still, they might have spent a significant chunk of their college years planning out what their careers would look like on the other end of this effort. But, it’s now looking as if an uncertain job market may derail even best laid plans.
Maybe it’s you or someone close to you about to graduate. Maybe you are hoping to work in the tech industry, but the wave of recent layoffs leaves you feeling shaky. So, being the highly agile and adaptive individual that you are, you pivot to what you believe is a “stable” choice — aiming for a job in public service — only to face the now-equally unsettling landscape of DOGE government layoffs and spending cuts.
So what is someone just entering the job market to do?
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Graduating into a job market desert
College seniors, especially those who were hoping for job prospects in the tech startup scene or Silicon Valley, probably won’t find as many opportunities as their predecessors did.
In 2024, there were 150,000 job layoffs across 549 tech companies, according to TechCrunch.
And though we’re only a quarter of the way into this year, 2025 is serving up an even bleaker outlook: Between January and April alone, more than 105,000 tech workers were laid off. Some of these are from major companies like Siemens, which slashed 5,600 positions in March and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), which laid off 2,500 of its employees in the same month.
And in addition to the layoffs, there are fewer jobs to go around between in increasing pool of prospective candidates: Analysis from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that companies in the tech industry netted 8,428 fewer positions in March — most of these in tech services and telecommunications.
What’s more, LinkedIn research suggests that 37% of those who are job hunting are applying to more positions, but aren’t necessarily receiving more responses from those who are hiring.
Additionally, getting hired in the public sector isn’t proving any easier due to the hiring freeze for federal jobs since the creation of DOGE.
Add to the mix that the World Economic Forum predicts that inflation in recent years may have an impact on job growth all the way to 2030, and young graduates are facing the perfect storm for dwindling job prospects. This slower growth translates to 1.6 million fewer jobs around the world in total, putting those in the sunrise stages of their career at a disadvantage from the get-go.
Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Navigating potential career chaos
The world of work is evolving constantly (what isn’t?), and it pays (literally and figuratively) to be prepared.
If you feel stressed about all this, you aren’t alone. According to a Gallup poll, only 15% of respondents strongly believe that their company’s leadership helps them feel enthusiastic about the future.
Despite what your current or prospective jobs may be, it’s important to do all you can to set yourself apart in a competitive job market, within a competitive industry.
Ongoing professional development is crucial to helping you remain competitive as a job candidate. Even if you’re not actively looking for a job, your newfound skills could offer opportunities for job promotions or other positions in a different department with your current employer.
To start, look at your employee handbook or ask your HR department to see whether your employer offers any professional development opportunities.
You may be reimbursed for taking courses or certification programs that could bolster your resume and professional experience. Check what the requirements may be and how to meet them.
Leveraging your experience with your industry’s related emerging technology could be useful as many employers desire this skill, even if it may not seem relevant to the job specifically. Stay up to date on technologies that could impact the industry you work in and follow relevant thought leaders online.
According to CompTIA, a credentialing organization for tech workers, found that around half of job postings in tech don’t require a four-year degree, which could imply that skills are just as — if not more — important than your degree.
Lastly, don’t overlook the power of a handshake. Building relationships, no matter how old you are, is a timeless skill.
For instance, employee referral programs are one of the most popular ways to land a new job. It could be that a professional contact through your networking efforts could help you get your foot in the door at your next company or may at least point you towards the right person.
To start networking, reach out to family and friends to see who they know that works in a particular industry you’re trying to enter. Other options include going to networking events, connecting with professional organizations, and speaking with internship coordinators at your school or supervisors at your past or potential internships. You never know if the next person you meet could end up being your mentor, who could introduce you to more relevant people in your field.
Resources like the one for Yale students offer perks like contact lists for networking purposes and a reimbursement program for expenses related to joining professional organizations, which are in themselves great networking magnets. See if your school offers anything similar.
Remind yourself, too, that the point of networking isn’t only short term — to help you land a job immediately. Rather, it’s so you can build your network of contacts to help you get insights and learn from others. Think of it as a longer-term career building strategy — one sure to come in handy during uncertain times.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
