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You crushed your classes.
You stacked internships like pancakes.
Your LinkedIn is tight, your cover letters are personalized, and your follow-ups? On point.
And yet… still jobless. Just ghosted applications and rejection emails clogging your inbox.
If you’re wondering why you can’t get hired despite doing everything "right," you're not the only one. Gen Z grads across the board are hitting the same wall and spoiler: the problem isn’t you.
It’s a job market that’s shifting fast. Here’s what’s actually going on and what you can do about it.
Let’s set the scene: Even top-tier grads are struggling to land jobs after graduation.
In 2024, 23% of Harvard MBA students were unemployed three months post-grad. Meanwhile, platforms like Glassdoor are reporting more grads applying for internships just to keep their résumés moving.
Searches like “why can’t I get hired after college” and “struggling to find a job after graduation” are trending and it’s easy to see why.
If you're working a retail job with a finance degree or stuck in unpaid gigs while applying to full-time roles, you’re not alone.
Over 40% of recent college graduates are underemployed, meaning they’re in jobs that don’t require a degree. This isn’t about laziness or lack of ambition—it’s about a system that hasn’t caught up with how the world of work has changed.
If you're trying to figure out how to get hired in a saturated job market, these five moves can help:
Graduated but still interning? That’s not failure—it’s smart strategy. Short-term roles keep your skills sharp and help you build connections (and LinkedIn clout).
Ask yourself: Do I know how to use industry-specific AI tools? Can I work with data? Employers care more about what you can do than your job title. Micro-credentials and quick online courses = small time investment, big return.
If the roles you want aren’t hiring, zoom out. Fields like ESG, compliance, supply chain, operations, and early-stage startups are actively recruiting. Be flexible—you might land in a niche you didn’t even know you’d love.
Warm introductions > cold applications. Reach out to alumni, join online communities, or drop a thoughtful message on LinkedIn. The hidden job market is real and most roles are filled before they hit job boards.
Watching classmates land offers while you’re stuck in limbo? Remember: this job market is wild, and success isn’t linear. You’re not behind—you’re adapting.
You can be smart, capable, and ridiculously driven—and still not have a job yet.
That’s not a reflection of your talent. It’s a reflection of a post-COVID, AI-restructured job market that’s rewriting the rules in real time.
So breathe. Keep learning. Keep applying. Keep showing up.
Because while you might not have an offer today, you’re building grit, skills, and resilience that will outlast any hiring freeze.
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