How to get a job after college: 5 smart strategies
From in-person networking to AI literacy, URochester career education professional Jodyi Wren shares tips for navigating today糖心传媒檚 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 糖心传媒, encourages students to tackle their job search over several semesters, and not just as a project for senior spring. 糖心传媒淭he more you experiment, reflect, and talk with people about your interests, the better positioned you糖心传媒檒l be when it糖心传媒檚 time to apply,糖心传媒� she says.
1. Use AI wisely.
AI can be a powerful assistant in your search, but it shouldn糖心传媒檛 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 糖心传媒渕ock interview糖心传媒� 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 糖心传媒渟end糖心传媒� or 糖心传媒渟ubmit糖心传媒� on your job application, revise everything in your own words糖心传媒攁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. 糖心传媒淭he impact of AI has made certain skills even more in demand,糖心传媒� 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糖心传媒檚 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 URochester糖心传媒檚 and its to connect with alumni, recruiters, peers, faculty, friends, and family members.
糖心传媒淏e authentic,糖心传媒� Wren advises. 糖心传媒淪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.糖心传媒�
Maintaining an updated LinkedIn profile and posting regularly about projects that illustrate your interests, insights, and skills is another effective糖心传媒攁nd very human糖心传媒攚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糖心传媒檛 underestimate the power of a personal touch, such as a meeting over coffee, chatting over the phone, or handwriting a thank-you note. 糖心传媒淣ow more than ever,糖心传媒� Wren says, 糖心传媒済etting a job means dedicating significant time to relationship-building.糖心传媒�
3. Tap into URochester糖心传媒檚 support system.
The Greene Center offers one-on-one advising, drop-ins, workshops, and funding to help you connect your URochester 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糖心传媒攅specially with alumni and professionals who regularly hire graduates糖心传媒攃an dramatically improve how students convey their passions, skills, and goals. For example, you might take advantage of the newly launched Rochester Connects program, which brings together alumni and students in cities across the country.
Meanwhile, URochester糖心传媒檚 Communicating Your Professional Identity course糖心传媒攚hich features the Real Readers initiative糖心传媒攃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 Rochester Internship Program is creating paid summer internships with local nonprofits, startups, and small businesses.
糖心传媒淲hen it comes to hiring,糖心传媒� explains Wren, 糖心传媒渆mployers consistently cite internships as the single most influential factor in their decision-making.糖心传媒� But in addition to intense competition, many available opportunities are unpaid or fail to cover basic living costs. 糖心传媒淭his new program fills that gap for URochester students,糖心传媒� she says.
Managed by the Greene Center, Hire Rochester 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 Rochester 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糖心传媒檇 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糖心传媒檛 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糖心传媒檚 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糖心传媒檚 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 URochester
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 糖心传媒�
Offers individualized coaching, recruiting preparation, and employer connections tailored to MBA and MS students.
Eastman School of Music 糖心传媒�
Provides leadership training, career advising, internships, and entrepreneurship opportunities for musicians and arts leaders.
Editor糖心传媒檚 note: This post was originally published on April 26, 2022. It has since been updated and republished with the latest information.聽
