Rising graduates face intensifying competition for entry-level jobs

8 articles · Updated · Spectrum News · May 5

ZipRecruiter says fewer than 40% of entry-level roles are available; at North Carolina A&T, 2,400 students graduate this weekend as career staff stage a Spring Hiring Rush fair.
Its 2026 Graduate Report found 16% of recent graduates filed more than 20 applications before a first offer, while 35% got one offer and nearly 5% received four or more.
Career advisers say some students are considering further study and emphasising transferable skills and resilience. AI is also a concern, with 47% saying it affects hiring and more than half expecting fewer entry-level jobs.

AI is decimating entry-level jobs nationally. Is a local hiring boom the only hope left for new graduates?

Employers now demand AI skills over college degrees. Is the university diploma losing its value?