Good News for Gen Z: The Job Market is Looking Better

Fear not Gen Z, the job market for 2022 college graduates is looking brighter than it did for recent graduating classes.

So in this unprecedented employment landscape, what can Gen Z expect when it comes to finding a job after graduating college?

How is the job market for recent college graduates and Gen Z?

In 2020, only 50% of college grads had jobs 6-months after graduating. Experts say the outlook for 2022 graduates is looking significantly better as there is more opportunity now than there has been in recent years.

Here’s a complete rundown…

Are companies hiring college grads?

Companies are hiring more college graduates than ever before: 90% of employers report that they will be hiring for full-time and intern/co-op positions while the remaining 10% will be hiring for full-time or intern positions.

According to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers plan to hire 31% more new college grads from 2022 than they did last year.

Gen Z grads compete with Millennials for entry-level positions

When it comes to searching for a job after graduation it’s important to know what the competition looks like to give yourself a competitive advantage.

Since employers can pay teens and non-college grads less and can fill entry-level positions with younger Millenials with more on-the-job experience, new graduates should be prepared to go the extra mile to stand out from the competition.

What do job market trends mean for college grads?

College grads need to network

Networking is more important than ever, so Gen Z graduates should start building their professional networks now.

LinkedIn is a great resource for networking, as well as for researching companies and jobs.

College career fairs are also a good way to meet employers, learn about job openings, and connect with peers on the same or similar paths.

College grads should be patient

The key for new college grads eager to get their first job post-graduation is to simply be patient.

While the national average for new college graduates to find a job is 3-6 months, Gen Z graduates should still be aggressive about applying for lots of jobs — even the ones they don’t think they’re completely qualified for.

College grads should continue to up-skill

With increased competition for roles, it’s important for college grads to find a competitive edge wherever they can.

This could mean taking on an internship or volunteering their time while they continue their job hunt, or taking online certification courses relevant to the fields they’re applying for to make them stand out from their peers.

What are some high-paying jobs for college graduates to consider?

Social Media Manager: $90,000-$125,000

Social media managers (SMM) are responsible for managing a company’s social media accounts, creating and curating content, and engaging with customers all while analyzing crucial channel data and platform metrics to leverage trends that drive the health and growth of a company’s brand and revenue.

Product Designer Salary, Digital: $120,000-$190,000

Product design professionals work with research, engineering, and marketing teams and are responsible for the user experience and visual design of digital products like websites and mobile apps.

Data Architect: $145,000-$225,000

A Data Architect is responsible for designing, creating, and maintaining the data infrastructure that a company uses including everything from databases to data warehouses.

Python Software Engineer / Developer: $100,000-$200,000

Python software engineers are currently in high demand since Python is one of the most versatile programming languages that can be used to build a range of applications, from simple scripts to complex machine learning algorithms.

Mobile App iOS Developer: $90,000-$180,000

Front-end Mobile iOS Developers are desirable candidates because the iOS platform is one of the most popular for mobile app development meaning companies are willing to pay top-dollar for qualified developers.

Information Security Manager, Cyber Security: $150,000 to $225,000

Information Security Managers play a key role in avoiding security disasters by identifying any areas that might make information systems vulnerable. These are the professionals who are tasked with assessing current security measures and mitigating future attacks against your company’s computers, networks, and data.

Overall job market prospects look good for Gen Z

There are more jobs available than there are graduates to fill them so overall prospects for new college grads look good.

And although recent grads could be competing with their peers for the most desirable entry-level positions, staying on top of your networking, being aggressive with applications, and learning and upskilling while you continue your search, could make the difference in landing your dream job.

Continued Reading:

• Best Ways to Recruit & Hire Gen Z Talent
• Highest Paid Social Media Jobs & Top Salaries
• How The Great Resignation Has Changed Staffing Forever
• Take-Home Assignments: the Biggest Mistake for Hiring Managers