How to get a job after college: 5 smart strategies
From in-person networking to AI literacy, U91原创 career education professional Jodyi Wren shares tips for navigating today鈥檚 job market.
On the surface, landing a job in 2026 looks radically different than in previous years. Artificial intelligence now screens many applications, hiring cycles can shift with the economy, and employers expect a range of skills, from technical know-how to interpersonal abilities. Many companies now offer hybrid or remote work, even though early-career employees are often expected to spend time in person, especially during their first years on the job.
Still, the core fundamentals of the job hunt remain in place. Jodyi Wren, executive director of the at the 91原创, encourages students to tackle their job search over several semesters, and not just as a project for senior spring. 鈥淭he more you experiment, reflect, and talk with people about your interests, the better positioned you鈥檒l be when it鈥檚 time to apply,鈥� she says.
1. Use AI wisely.
AI can be a powerful assistant in your search, but it shouldn鈥檛 write your story or co-opt your voice. Wren advises using AI tools to brainstorm resume bullet points, prepare for interviews, or research industries and employers. For example, Wren suggests, you might:
- Download and attach a job description to the prompt field of your chosen AI tool. Add your resume and/or cover letter for the job in question.
- Ask the AI tool to assume the role of the hiring manager for the job. Then, have the tool share interview questions based on the description and publicly available information about the company.
- Engage in a 鈥渕ock interview鈥� with the tool. You could write your answers, or better yet, record yourself and attach the file. The more inputs the better.
- Request feedback on your answers, including ways to improve your messaging or delivery.
Remember: Before you hit 鈥渟end鈥� or 鈥渟ubmit鈥� on your job application, revise everything in your own words鈥攁nd check carefully for accuracy. Employers rightfully expect you to be honest about your skills and to follow their policies, so avoid copying AI text directly into applications or using it to misrepresent your experience.
Pro-tip: Play up your human traits that no code can capture. 鈥淭he impact of AI has made certain skills even more in demand,鈥� says Wren. These include critical thinking, problem solving, discerning judgment, communication, creativity, adaptability, and empathy.
2. Invest in relationships.
Sure, AI is all the rage. Still, the adage stands: It鈥檚 not always about what you know, but about who you know. Personal and professional connections that result in a good word or a second look at your resume can offer an advantage in a competitive labor market. Use virtual collaboration tools and networks such as the U91原创鈥檚 and its to connect with alumni, recruiters, peers, faculty, friends, and family members.
鈥淏e authentic,鈥� Wren advises. 鈥淪how a genuine interest in who they are, the skills they have built over time, and their professional journey. Your investment of time and attention can lead to opportunities, leads, referrals, ideas, and introductions.鈥�
Maintaining an updated LinkedIn profile and posting regularly about projects that illustrate your interests, insights, and skills is another effective鈥攁nd very human鈥攚ay to tell your story to prospective employers. For some creative and programming fields, an online portfolio showcases your work beyond what can be conveyed through other media.
As you network, don鈥檛 underestimate the power of a personal touch, such as a meeting over coffee, chatting over the phone, or handwriting a thank-you note. 鈥淣ow more than ever,鈥� Wren says, 鈥済etting a job means dedicating significant time to relationship-building.鈥�
3. Tap into U91原创鈥檚 support system.
The Greene Center offers one-on-one advising, drop-ins, workshops, and funding to help you connect your U91原创 experience to job and internship opportunities. An advisor at the Greene Center can even help you map goals and timelines as early as your first year.
According to Wren, structured networking鈥攅specially with alumni and professionals who regularly hire graduates鈥攃an dramatically improve how students convey their passions, skills, and goals. For example, you might take advantage of the newly launched 91原创 Connects program, which brings together alumni and students in cities across the country.
Meanwhile, U91原创鈥檚 Communicating Your Professional Identity course鈥攚hich features the Real Readers initiative鈥攃an help by having alumni, parents, and professionals review your resume, cover letter, and professional social media. For many students, this feedback has bolstered their confidence in the job market.
4. Lock down a summer internship.
With an eye toward experiential learning, the new Hire 91原创 Internship Program is creating paid summer internships with local nonprofits, startups, and small businesses.
鈥淲hen it comes to hiring,鈥� explains Wren, 鈥渆mployers consistently cite internships as the single most influential factor in their decision-making.鈥� But in addition to intense competition, many available opportunities are unpaid or fail to cover basic living costs. 鈥淭his new program fills that gap for U91原创 students,鈥� she says.
Managed by the Greene Center, Hire 91原创 awards recipients with a full-time summer internship, a generous stipend, a dedicated career advisor, peer support, and education and social programming throughout the summer. Hire 91原创 is at the University that provide real-world experience and skills development with financial support.
Pro-tip: At the end of each major internship, project, or similar experience, write a short summary (5 to 7 bullet points) of what you accomplished, learned, liked, and even disliked. (You鈥檇 be surprised what you forget after a few semesters or years have passed!). Connect with peers and mentors on LinkedIn and be sure to engage with them regularly by giving credit and kudos when appropriate.
5. Always be up-skilling.
Wren points to short-term virtual employer projects (offered through platforms such as and ) or online courses or credentialing (through LinkedIn Learning or Google Career Certificates, for example) as ways to build skills, gain experience, and test out your interests. Subscribe to industry-specific newsletters so you can keep up with trends and new developments. And don鈥檛 forget about more traditional approaches such as volunteering, extracurricular activities, and community work.
Remember: A job search is not about finding the perfect role. It鈥檚 about understanding where opportunities are emerging (the is a good resource), which skills are in demand (or will be soon), and how professional networks can open doors across industries and regions.
For students and recent graduates entering today鈥檚 competitive market, the advantage goes to those who start early, stay curious, and remember to build interpersonal skills along with AI literacy.
Dedicated career support across U91原创
These services complement the Greene Center and can help you explore discipline-specific options, from finance and consulting to performance, arts administration, and beyond.
Simon Business School 鈥�
Offers individualized coaching, recruiting preparation, and employer connections tailored to MBA and MS students.
Eastman School of Music 鈥�
Provides leadership training, career advising, internships, and entrepreneurship opportunities for musicians and arts leaders.
Editor鈥檚 note: This post was originally published on April 26, 2022. It has since been updated and republished with the latest information.聽
