When Jake enrolled at UCLA as a computer science major, he thought a software engineering career was a sure bet. But when graduation came, he found himself holding a diploma with no job offer.
The U.S. jobless rate for recent college graduates is significantly higher than for the overall labor force and experienced graduates, with recent figures showing rates around 6.1% for bachelor's degree holders ages 22-27 in mid-2025, according to analyses of Bureau of Labor Statistics and Federal Reserve data.
This elevated rate for recent graduates reflects a tougher job market, with some sources noting it as the highest jobless rate for this group since the 2008-2009 recession, excluding pandemic anomalies.
“The one thing new grads don’t learn in college is how to job hunt,” says Robin Ryan, America’s leading expert on AI job search. “Students don’t know how to navigate the process effectively, especially now that AI is radically changing the hiring world.”
Ryan, a career counselor and the author of eight career books, including 60 Seconds & You’re Hired, has seen the number of unemployed graduates seeking her help soar in the last 18 months. Some remain jobless even a year after graduation.
Known for decades of work advising professionals, executives, and managers, Ryan recognized a gap and created a program tailored for new graduates like Jake (real example, but name changed). It covers resume writing, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, job-hunting strategies, and interview skills. Recently, she added a critical new offering: her AI Job Search Coaching Service.
“Students have been among the first to adopt AI to help them get a job,” Ryan explains. “But many don’t use it wisely, and that’s what worries me. Misusing AI tools can sabotage their chances for success. Every job seeker must now know which tools and services to use, what they can do for you, and, most importantly, what to avoid.”
The Biggest Mistakes
Ryan warns that the worst misstep is letting ChatGPT write your resume. “People think it will create the perfect resume. They’re wrong. AI produces generic documents that recruiters spot instantly and discard. And then there’s the false information it makes up, what the tech world calls ‘hallucinations.’ These untruths are hard to explain when it’s a skill or achievement you don’t have.”
Instead, Ryan advises viewing artificial intelligence as “assistance intelligence” or “augmented intelligence.” She emphasized, “AI doesn’t think. It won’t ask the right questions to make your resume stronger. That’s your job, and only you can do it.”
Ryan offered this warning, “Don’t use AI-powered services that blast resumes to dozens of jobs at once. This is just adding to the resume tsunami employers are facing. Mass-applying backfires, so only apply for jobs you’re truly qualified for and tailor your resume to show how you meet the requirements.”
Smart Ways to Use AI
Ryan recommends using AI for research. “Ask an AI platform like ChatGPT or Gemini to find companies you may not have discovered in your field and similar job titles to look for. Request detailed information about a company before you conduct an interview. Include your resume, the job title, location, and industry in your prompt to get the best results.”
The California job market is very challenging for new graduates in fields such as technology, where competition is fierce. But there is hope.
“Hiring has been weird this year,” says Beth Smith, president of the staffing firm, A-list Interviews. “There is so much uncertainty in the market right now that employers are holding off on hiring. And yet, there is a ton of speculation that once something shakes loose, there will be a deluge of business. Which means, lots of hiring.”
Ryan’s advice for students who want an edge. “The goal isn’t to let AI do the work for you,” she stresses. “It’s an aid to make you a more competitive candidate and sell yourself effectively in today’s hiring world.”
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