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2026 job market for recent college grads: Tips to navigate working in the real world
FOX Local spoke with Barry Garapedian, CEO and president of MAG 7 Consulting firm, which caters to mentoring high-school and college-aged students, to discuss tips on how recent graduates can navigate the job market and why it may feel harder for younger generations to get a job right out of school.
As college graduates are preparing to break their way into the workforce, some entry-level jobs may prove to be easier to get into than others.
WalletHub recently conducted a study that found which jobs are the best and worst for entry-level positions, factoring in potential growth, overall availability and how dangerous the job is.
What they're saying:
"An entry-level job won’t necessarily be what you stick with long term, but it’s certainly good to search for something you think can turn into a career. Pursuing an entry-level job in a field like engineering or nursing can ensure that you get your foot in the door with plenty of job openings, good compensation and a reasonable work week, among other benefits," Chip Lupo, an analyst at WalletHub, said.
Here are the top 20 best entry-level jobs, according to WalletHub:
Engineering, health and trade jobs took the top spots for the best overall entry-level positions.
To see the full list, click here.
FILE - Image shows a hiring manager looking through resumes. (Getty Images)
Using AI to help land a job
As artificial intelligence becomes integrated into our daily lives, using that technology to your advantage will not only teach you valuable skills, but it could be the thing that helps you get hired.
RELATED: College grads enter tough hiring market: Some tips to help with the job hunt
What you can do:
Employers are looking for people who understand how to use the technology and incorporate it into workflows, Efrem Bycer, LinkedIn’s head of workforce and climate policy partnerships, told The Associated Press.
Because technology is shifting so rapidly, however, adaptability is also a sought-after skill.
"What employers are going to want to know is, can you work through that change?" Bycer added.
What’s more, using AI to "personalize your approach" to the companies you’re most interested in can help your resume stand out among the crowd.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from a WalletHub analysis based on data from March 30, 2026 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Will Robots Take My Job, Indeed.com and Salary.com. Previous reporting by FOX Local also contributed to this report. This story was reported from San Jose.