How recent grads and college students should be thinking about AI, the CV, and the job market

Artificial intelligence is transforming the hiring process, leaving many college students and recent graduates searching for ways to stand out in an increasingly competitive job market. As employers adopt AI-powered screening tools, young job seekers say landing an interview can feel more challenging than ever.

Michela DiLorenzo, a student at Seton Hall and student editor at The Setonian who has covered the careers sentiment on campus, recently wrote that post-graduation plans for many of her peers have changed as they enter an uncertain job market. Rather than immediately pursuing graduate degrees, some are taking summer jobs or other work to save money as they consider their next steps.

"AI is really changing the motivation that students have going into the job market. It's changing the hiring process, how people are formatting their resumes and just overall, how students are approaching life post-grad," Michela said in an interview with CNBC's Jon Fortt on Friday.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, college graduates in the 22- to 27-year-old age bracket had an unemployment rate of 5.7% as of June 2026, significantly above the national average and a full percentage point higher than it was two years ago for their cohort. The unemployment rate for all young workers was 7.2%. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate — college graduates working in jobs that do not require a bachelor's degree — has reached 42%, compared to 33.7% for all college graduates.

For students, the challenge is not only finding an opportunity but getting noticed. Employers are using AI to screen and review applications, while students are trying to figure out how to incorporate it into their job hunt.

Based on its study of job postings, the NY Fed wrote, "while AI may be contributing to recent labor market developments, it is not the main driver of the slowdown in hiring."

Nevertheless, Sohn's advice for all job seekers is to "be AI-forward."