As young job seekers face increasing pressure in the entry-level job market, new findings from JISC’s Outlook for Early Careers survey of 5,000 students and graduates have found that many are applying for as many jobs as possible to improve their chances of securing a role. Men (33%) were more likely to take this approach than women (26%).
While the proportion of job seekers taking a targeted approach (applying to fewer than 20 positions) has declined, high-volume applications have nearly doubled year-over-year. Respondents who submitted 100 or more applications increased from 8% to 13%.
Recent graduates appear to be facing the most pressure, with 20% saying they have applied for more than 100 jobs, higher than any other group surveyed.
Graduates were also the most likely to say AI threatens their career prospects and reduces the number of jobs available (44% compared to 35% overall). However, the results of previous research and the outcomes of HESA graduates (published today) show that a difficult labor market is more affected by economic uncertainty than by AI.
The Prospects Early Careers Survey also found that candidates who submit a large number of applications are significantly more likely to use AI tools to craft their resumes and cover letters. Among those who applied for 101 to 200 jobs, 66% used AI, compared to 40% of those who applied for 20 or fewer jobs.
However, AI usage declined among respondents who submitted more than 200 applications, dropping to 48%, suggesting that some candidates may be relying on automated and quick application tools.
The findings also suggest growing tensions in the early career market, with candidates turning to AI to improve their chances of securing roles, despite feeling threatened about the impact on jobs and hiring outcomes.
This year, nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents reported having used AI at some point during the application process. However, the majority said it would be unfair for employers to use AI in most stages of the recruitment process.
46% have used AI to write a resume or cover letter, but only 38% feel comfortable using AI to screen resumes. Concerns were strongest regarding the use of AI in online interviews and virtual assessments. Qualifications was the only area where the use of AI was deemed widely acceptable.
Growing concerns about the impact of AI on future careers may be shaping candidate behavior. Almost half (44%) of respondents with a negative outlook for their future said that job automation has influenced their thinking this year. Respondents with a pessimistic outlook were more likely to apply for as many positions as possible to increase their chances.
However, the study also suggests that confidence in AI skills and access to career guidance can significantly improve future prospects for students and graduates.
Only about half of college students say they feel they have the AI skills they need for their careers. Almost half (47%) of respondents who were not confident in their AI skills believed that technology has reduced their chances, compared to 29% who said they were confident in using AI.
Additionally, students who received career advice about AI were more than twice as likely to believe the technology would increase their job opportunities (27% compared to 12% of students who received no guidance).
Respondents cited networking, tailoring applications, researching employers, and speaking with career experts and industry insiders as the most successful approaches to securing opportunities and interviews.
The findings reflect broader industry trends, with the Student Employers Association reporting record levels of applications over the past two years.
Chris Rea, Early Career Prospects Expert at Jisc.
“Young people are responding to a tough job market by applying for more roles and increasingly leveraging AI throughout the hiring process.
“At the same time, there seems to be a growing loop of doom where candidates use AI to gain an edge in their job search, but feel threatened by the impact AI will have on their careers and hiring abilities.
“Our findings show that trust in digital, even among young people, cannot be taken for granted. It is important to support the development of professional AI skills to help students remain optimistic as they navigate a rapidly changing labor market.”
