The job market for the Class of 2026 is shaping up to be the weakest in years, as employers brace for economic uncertainty and leaner staffing plans, The Wall Street Journal writes.
More than half of companies surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers rate next spring’s hiring outlook as poor or fair—the most downbeat reading since the early pandemic. Major employers including Amazon, UPS and now Verizon are slashing jobs, prompting companies to prioritize candidates with experience and pull back on entry-level recruiting.
AI is further complicating the picture as executives openly discuss replacing routine early-career tasks with automation.
Recent grads are feeling the strain: Unemployment hit 4.8% in June, and job postings on Handshake fell 16% year over year while applications surged 26%. Recruiters say companies fall into one of three camps—on pause, cutting staff or growing modestly—while students blanket the market with applications that often miss the mark.
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