Financial tips for college graduates to keep in mind while job hunting
Here are 5 tips for new graduates to stay financially smart during their job search
It’s true that jobs beget jobs, according to research from job site ZipRecruiter.
Studies have shown that work experience often predicts whether a college graduate will find a job outside of school. ZipRecruiter surveyed 1,500 students who graduated last year and 1,500 students who will graduate this year between January 30 and March 16 and found that working while in college makes graduates more than twice as likely to get a job (81% vs. 40%).
The report says competition among graduates is increasing as the job market slows and the proportion of entry-level positions shrinks. Knowing what makes graduates stand out to employers can have a big impact on landing a job, the report says.
“In tougher markets, results are not random,” ZipRecruiter said. “Increased competition for entry-level positions means employers can be more selective about who they hire for those positions. Our data shows that the single strongest predictor of employment after graduation is whether a student worked in any capacity during college. Experience requires experience.”
A system for accumulating practical experience
Research shows that work experience not only helps graduates get jobs, but it can also shorten the time it takes to get a job.
“The benefits of work experience are even greater,” the paper said. “Working while in school builds your resume, but more importantly, it speeds up your overall job search timeline.”
Employers will expect you to have some training when considering them for an entry-level position. So they’re looking at whether they have someone who can “do the job and keep it,” said Corey Stahl, senior economist at job site Indeed. “If you work, come to work every day, and do a good job, companies see that as a signal that you are a potentially good worker.”
Indeed analyzed 3,000 job openings over the past three months in 2025 and found that business operations skills are the most sought after. The top business operational skills companies are looking for most are customer service (37.1%) and management skills (35.8%), the magazine said.
Yes, jobs checking IDs in the campus library, organizing and filing documents in the office, answering phones and working in the mall are all important, Stahle said. “It’s a daily thing to get a feel for how the business works and how the job works, experience that and communicate that to your employer,” he said.
According to ZipRecruiter, kids who work while in college are more likely to start looking for a job before graduation (73% vs. 43%) and twice as likely to have a job plan in place before graduation (20% vs. 12%). Part of this is networking, the recruitment platform says. Almost 88% of new hires said networking was important to securing their first job, according to the report.
“Our message to currently enrolled students is simple: whether it’s a part-time job, active participation in a student organization with tangible results, or maintaining connections with industry, professional involvement does double duty: it builds their network.” and Their careers start faster,” ZipRecruiter said.
Does the type of degree matter?
The type of degree you have earned may also be important when looking for a job. According to ZipRecruiter, liberal arts majors are the most likely to be disappointed with their job prospects. Many of them “would have been better off pursuing a more scientific or quantitative field,” the report said.
Almost 17% of students majoring in English, literature and journalism waited more than six months to get a job, according to the survey. These graduates also accepted salaries that were, on average, 30% lower than expected.
In contrast, nearly one-third of nursing graduates had secured a job before receiving their diploma, ZipRecruiter said. It also said the median highest wage was $70,000, meaning they earned 16.7% more than expected.
What if a graduate doesn’t find a job right away?
According to ZipRecruiter, nearly half (48.5%) of 2026 graduates and 56.3% of 2025 graduates are already considering going to school as an alternative to a traditional job.
“Graduate school may be acting as a hedge against a tough market, as graduates seek to buy time before entering the traditional workforce,” the report said.
But some experts said the decision should be carefully considered. As school costs continue to rise, people need to weigh the long-term benefits against the short-term costs.
“Ultimately, goals and aspirations are long-term and can be repaid over decades (by going back to school),” Stahle said. “The best-case scenario is that you get a job and your employer pays for you to go back to learn other skills.”
Medora Lee is USA TODAY’s money, markets and personal finance reporter. Please contact us at mjlee@usatoday.com. Subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday.
