It is not an easy year to be a graduate. Indeed reports that graduate job postings were down 7% year on year in July 2026, the lowest level for that time of year since 2020. But the full picture is more encouraging than the headlines suggest.
What the data says
- AI is changing graduate jobs, not wiping them out. 87% of employers surveyed by the Institute of Student Employers expect AI to change entry-level roles, and around four in ten don't expect any graduate jobs to be replaced in the next three years.
- Most graduates still land professional roles. 70.9% of employed graduates were in professional-level jobs in the latest Graduate Outcomes data.
- The big cities are hiring. London, Birmingham and Manchester saw the largest gains in graduate recruitment.
- AI skills pay. PwC found an average 34% wage premium for jobs that need AI skills.
What employers want from graduates now
As AI takes on routine work such as basic research and drafting, employers say they value critical thinking, judgement, adaptability and communication more than before. Technical skills get you shortlisted. These are what get you hired.
Five ways to stand out
- Build two or three real projects. Deploy them, document them and link to them from your CV.
- Get the fundamentals right. Python, SQL and statistics come up in almost every AI interview.
- Get experience wherever you can. Placements, internships, open-source contributions and hackathons all count. More than 90% of employers say placements make a significant difference.
- Apply selectively. Ten tailored applications beat a hundred generic ones.
- Use AI to prepare, not to apply for you. Practise interview questions with it, but write your CV and answers yourself.
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