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’s 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 Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education and Connections at the University of Rochester, encourages students to tackle their job search over several semesters, and not just as a project for senior spring. “The more you experiment, reflect, and talk with people about your interests, the better positioned you’ll be when it’s time to apply,” she says.
1. Use AI wisely.
AI can be a powerful assistant in your search, but it shouldn’t 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 “mock interview” 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 “send” or “submit” on your job application, revise everything in your own words—and 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. “The impact of AI has made certain skills even more in demand,” 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’s 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’s Meliora Collective and its Linkedin page to connect with alumni, recruiters, peers, faculty, friends, and family members.
“Be authentic,” Wren advises. “Show 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.”
Maintaining an updated LinkedIn profile and posting regularly about projects that illustrate your interests, insights, and skills is another effective—and very human—way 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’t underestimate the power of a personal touch, such as a meeting over coffee, chatting over the phone, or handwriting a thank-you note. “Now more than ever,” Wren says, “getting a job means dedicating significant time to relationship-building.”
3. Tap into URochester’s 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—especially with alumni and professionals who regularly hire graduates—can 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’s Communicating Your Professional Identity course—which features the Real Readers initiative—can 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.
“When it comes to hiring,” explains Wren, “employers consistently cite internships as the single most influential factor in their decision-making.” But in addition to intense competition, many available opportunities are unpaid or fail to cover basic living costs. “This new program fills that gap for URochester students,” 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 one of four signature internship programs 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’d 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 Forage and Parker Dewey) 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’t 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’s about understanding where opportunities are emerging (the US Bureau of Labor Statistics 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’s 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 – Benet Career Management Center
Offers individualized coaching, recruiting preparation, and employer connections tailored to MBA and MS students.
Eastman School of Music – Institute for Music Leadership
Provides leadership training, career advising, internships, and entrepreneurship opportunities for musicians and arts leaders.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on April 26, 2022. It has since been updated and republished with the latest information.
