New grads struggle to land first jobs as AI reshapes hiring amid a tight market

American college graduates face the worst entry-level job market since the pandemic, with underemployment at 42.5% as AI-enabled hiring and stricter employer expectations shrink opportunities. Graduates report ghosting, lengthy application processes, and job descriptions asking for 3–5 years of experience, forcing them to tailor resumes for automated screening and lowering their expectations while seeking their first role.