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With commencement fast approaching, this year’s graduates are busy transitioning from four years of college life to their post-graduate plans — which, for many, includes navigating the job market.

St. Olaf Piper Center for Vocation and Career Senior Associate Director Bryan Shealer provides insight into the changing job market and how students and graduates can navigate it.

How has the job market changed over the years, and what challenges do new graduates face?
This is a big question, as there are complex factors at play in the job market. Like many areas of our society, the pandemic shifted how employers recruit students and job seekers. Before 2020, career centers were instrumental in connecting students to employers by facilitating in-person activities, such as information sessions and on-campus interviews. The pandemic changed how employers promote opportunities and engage with students, moving to a more direct approach facilitated by virtual and AI technologies. In the new job market, technology enables employers to manage larger applicant pools, leading to more competition for roles. Therefore, networking is more critical than ever.

It’s also helpful to remember that challenging job markets are a part of typical economic cycles and have happened many times in the past. During these times, job seekers find that their job search can take longer or require them to consider intermediate jobs. I recommend that job seekers practice positivity, patience, persistence, perseverance, and persuasion. These “five P’s” can serve as a helpful frame for a difficult job market. 

Lastly, the impact of technology on the job market cannot be overstated. Technology is changing jobs and industry quicker than ever. What seems to be consistent is that employers are seeking candidates who possess broad competencies with technology, even in career areas that have traditionally not been very technical. New graduates need to intentionally apply their liberal arts skill sets — such as learning mindset, resilience, agility, technological literacy, and analytical and creative thinking — in their job searches. Job seekers who can leverage and articulate these skills in their job search will rise higher in the candidate pool.

Many entry-level positions now require experience — how can recent graduates build relevant skills and a strong resume without traditional work experience?
It’s important to unpack what experience means to help recent graduates expand their understanding of what employers seek. Experience comes in many different forms! Internships are certainly one of the best ways to explore careers and build real-world experience. However, on-campus employment, clubs, sports, music ensembles, student government, volunteering, and study abroad all contribute to the experiences that employers are looking for — not to mention the skills and knowledge gained directly from their academic program, research, and coursework. Many classes at St. Olaf and other colleges contain integrated projects that are an excellent source of experience for a resume and job interview. Experience is how employers evaluate if a job seeker can do a job well; past experience is the best predictor of future performance. On-the-job experience is not the only avenue for candidates to demonstrate their readiness for a particular job.  

Lastly, understanding what skills are most relevant in a particular industry or job can help round out the type of experience an employer may look for and help someone stand out as a candidate. There are informal and formal ways to ensure that a job seeker can demonstrate a basic understanding of a critical competency or skill. The Ole Career Launcher, a Piper Center program designed to provide skill-building opportunities at St. Olaf, is intended to augment the resumes of students and put the “cherry on top” of a resume. We’ve seen great success with this program over the years.

How can graduates adjust their job search strategies when their chosen field has limited opportunities?
Graduates often need to think in the short, medium, and long term. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to finding a job, so it’s important to think about how a first job connects to their longer-term career goals. Many jobs offer a great starting point on the pathway to more specific roles or career fields. The economy can have a big impact on jobs as well, which is why a long-term strategy, keeping a focus on a strategic goal, can help graduates imagine entry-level jobs that they might not have considered before.  

It’s important for students and new graduates to regularly evaluate their job search tactics to determine if adjustments are needed. Job seekers should continually analyze their approach based on the results and information they find. Job seekers should continue to ask if their current strategy is working. It is important to regularly take stock of how their search is going, seek advice from trusted advisors, consider new approaches or opportunities, and adapt as needed. Staying organized by tracking relevant job search information, such as employers, connections, and applications, can be very helpful to effectively analyze a search and identify where changes might be needed.

What are common job search mistakes new graduates make, and how can they avoid them?
Without a doubt, the most common mistake is for students or new graduates to spend most of their time just applying for jobs or internships in front of a computer. While applying to jobs is certainly important, it’s always best if you can tie an application to a personal connection that can help you gain relevant information and stand out in the candidate pool. New graduates who take the time to talk to people — to network — are far more likely to find success in the job search. It’s one of the best ways to land a job that they feel good about and serves their longer-term career goals. For some people, this comes naturally, and for others it isn’t as easy.  Nevertheless, building these skills is a critical part of job search success, and with time and practice, anyone can integrate networking into their professional skill set.

How does your work at St. Olaf help students and recent graduates prepare for the job hunt?
The future is intimidating, and thinking about career and vocation requires some vulnerability and self-reflection. At its core, my work is about building genuine relationships with Oles — both current students and alumni — to create a relationship where we can work in tandem to build an effective job search strategy, have strong application documents, and connect with the right people, especially Ole alumni! The job market is more complex than ever, and my role is to make sure students don’t feel alone in their search.  

Bryan Shealer is the senior associate director of employer and alumni relations in St. Olaf College’s Piper Center for Vocation and Career. He oversees coaching for in careers in business, government, foreign affairs, and public policy. Shealer is certified as a Global Career Development Facilitator, a joint certification of the National Career Development Association and the Center for Credentialing and Education.

For media inquiries, contact St. Olaf Director of Public Relations Kat Dodge at dodge2@stolaf.edu.