US employers are warning the class of 2026: the job market next spring could be worse than this year…
With about six months to go before graduation season, more than half of the 183 employers surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers believe that the job market for the class of 2026 will be poor or average.
This survey, widely regarded as a bellwether for annual graduate recruitment, is recording its most pessimistic forecast in five years (since the beginning of the pandemic).
The cooling of the US job market is exacerbating these concerns. In recent months, from Amazon... Following announcements from companies like UPS, which have laid off thousands or even tens of thousands of employees, Verizon Communications also plans to cut 15,000 jobs next week – according to sources, this will be the company's largest layoff in history.
Many companies say economic uncertainty is forcing them to adopt more conservative hiring strategies, with many now prioritizing experienced candidates over recent graduates. A growing number of executives are also speaking publicly about artificial intelligence. AI has raised the possibility of massive layoffs and is expected to replace more entry-level jobs traditionally held by recent graduates.
For recent college graduates, this means they will have to compete with younger employees who were recently laid off. Analysis from the New York Federal Reserve shows that the unemployment rate for recent graduates in the US reached 4.8% in June, not only higher than the overall unemployment rate for that month, but also the highest level for the same period in nearly four years.
Annika Swenson, a senior at the University of Iowa, said that layoffs at companies like Amazon are exacerbating her job-hunting anxiety. The surge in job applications and the rapid iteration of artificial intelligence technology are also adding to her stress. Speaking about some entry-level positions, she said, "Maybe in a year, this position won't need anyone anymore. It's just crazy."
According to data from the career search platform Handshake, the number of full-time job postings in the United States fell by more than 16% year-over-year in August, while the average number of applications per position increased by 26%. More than 60% of the class of 2026 expressed pessimism about their career prospects.
Handshake Chief Education Strategy Officer Christine Cruzvergara points out that employers are exhibiting three trends: some are suspending hiring due to economic uncertainty, some are laying off employees under the guise of improving efficiency, and some are maintaining moderate expansion.
She stated that, looking at specific industries, sectors such as healthcare, education , and manufacturing are experiencing job growth. Meanwhile, students are submitting resumes to hundreds of positions, leaving them with no choice but to keep applying. However, she pointed out that this strategy could backfire: many employers are already tired of generic resumes and application materials.
Giavanna Vega, a former junior recruiter and internship program manager at Automation Anywhere, described the current U.S. hiring environment as stagnant.
When discussing companies' hiring strategies in the context of tariffs and AI development, she stated that due to the uncertainty, companies are unsure where to invest. This has a greater impact on recent graduates: they lack professional training. She frankly admitted that job competition in the US is currently exceptionally fierce, "Even more experienced people are starting to accept entry-level positions because it's simply impossible to find work."
(Article source: CLS)
