What College Students Need To Know About The New Global Job Market
Start writing a post
Adulting

What College Students Need To Know About The New Global Job Market

The pandemic has changed what we know about traditional jobs after college. Here's what grads need to know.

2793
What College Students Need To Know About The New Global Job Market

The global job market suffered significant setbacks throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and nearly two years later, the rebuilding process has begun. We’re starting to see some interesting phenomena in the hiring process and working conditions of employees, some of which can prove instrumental in finding a good entry-level position.

The 2022 job market is saturated with well-paying jobs, both in-office and remote. You can find opportunities if you know how to present yourself — it’s just a matter of using the right tools and techniques. Here are 10 things college students getting ready to enter the new job market need to know.

1. Remote Work Is More Than a Trend

Much of the workforce that remained employed during the COVID-19 pandemic had to stay home and work remotely, and that change might become permanent in white-collar professions. Your potential employers could offer office and work-from-home options for entry-level positions, so make sure you let them know your preference early on. Remote jobs can take the form of temporary contracts or full-time posts, so you need to understand the difference.

2. Jobs Are Returning

While the global job market took a huge hit in 2020 and remained stagnant in early 2021, we’re finally starting to see an increase in openings. In fact, so many opportunities are available a labor shortage has occurred. Companies worldwide are actively seeking recruits, so market yourself with confidence.

3. Virtual Recruitment Is the New Norm

Companies turned to a virtual recruitment process during the pandemic by necessity, and they’ve found that it’s a much more efficient way to sift through candidates and find the people they want. What does this mean for you? Your resume and portfolio must look polished and have all the necessary keywords that stand out to the hiring team.

4. AI Plays a Big Role in Finding Candidates

Keywords are vital because companies now use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen applicants in the first stage of recruitment. The AI looks for certain words, phrases and qualifications the company wants, narrowing the number of candidates quickly. An incomplete resume or poorly written cover letter stands no chance of making it through the first stage.

5. Networking Still Matters

Despite the recruitment process becoming more robotic, networking still plays a crucial role in creating job opportunities. Form human connections on your campus with professors and other students in your major. If you meet the right person, you could get an internship or entry-level offer without needing to fill out an AI-friendly application.

6. Autumn Is the Main Recruiting Season

The most opportune time to make connections is early in the school year during the autumn season. Most colleges and universities host many of their networking events during the first semester, so you should take full advantage. You might end up starting the spring semester with a few offers in your back pocket.

7. White-Collar Has More Opportunities

As you might expect, white-collar professions revolving around digital work aren’t as vulnerable to COVID-19 restrictions as blue-collar jobs. This fact is reflected in the number of office job opportunities in recent months — 15.7 million in the United States alone. Professional positions largely opened back up to full operations, while blue-collar jobs such as restaurant workers still suffer from strict mandates and thus remain understaffed.

8. COVID-19 Mandates May Affect Your Job Search

While white-collar occupations aren’t subjected to many mandates, the few that remain in place can make or break your job search. If you choose not to get the vaccine for religious reasons or otherwise, you might have a hard time finding an in-person job. If you don’t plan on getting vaccinated, focus your search on remote positions.

9. Too Many Jobs, Not Enough Labor

COVID-19 mandates are just a tiny part of the many factors contributing to the current labor shortage. The job market was abysmal during the height of the pandemic: wages were low, hours were long and lockdowns occurred off-and-on for over a year, enticing many people to quit. Long-term unemployment will remain a problem until businesses adapt to meet the needs of the working class.

10. Wages Are Stabilizing

One of the adaptations we’ve begun to see is the stabilization of pay. With so many jobs opening up and so much labor available, companies can no longer low-ball candidates with poor compensation. They are finally adjusting their pay rates to account for the increased cost of living, even in entry-level and blue-collar positions.

New Job Market Shows Promise

The aftershock of COVID-19 will persist for a long time, but after nearly two years of chaos, we’re starting to see things level out. Jobs have flooded the market, wages are catching up and technology plays a more prominent role in recruitment. College students have to change their strategies accordingly.

Report this Content
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

48899
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31093
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954885
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180199
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments