How to Navigate the 2026 Job Market

Looking Ahead – The Job Landscape for 2026

According to The Wall Street Journal, the 2026 new-graduate hiring market is shaping up to be more competitive than in recent years. As employers navigate economic uncertainty, many are taking a more thoughtful and selective approach to hiring. At the same time, shifts such as workforce restructuring and the growing use of AI are changing how entry-level roles are defined, which means students may encounter a more competitive landscape as they begin their job search.

We get it. Hearing this news is scary, but it doesn’t have to be. On the bright side, employers are still hiring, and students are still graduating with relevant skills. To be successful in this job market, students just need to learn how to market themselves. Read below for five ways to make yourself stand out:

Research & Prepare

It’s never too early to prepare. The work you do now will pay off in the future.

Find employers in your desired career field and learn what they are looking for. This can be done by employers on LinkedIn, reviewing job descriptions, or reaching out directly to members of their hiring teams.
Ensure you have all the applicable skills and market yourself accordingly as the right fit for the roles you are applying for.

Network

Understandably, reaching out to people you barely know (or don’t know at all) can be intimidating. However, the worst that can happen is they say ‘no’ or don’t reply. Therefore, it’s worth putting yourself out there.

Reach out to people in your career field and ask for an informational interview to learn about how to be a competitive candidate. LMU students can use LMUConnect to connect with alumni who are eager to mentor and support students. These connections may even lead to referrals or job recommendations.
Message the hiring managers on LinkedIn or Handshake, affirming your interest in the career. That way, when they come across your resume, they’ll recognize your name.
Don’t receive a reply? Don’t be afraid to follow up! People tend to have other commitments, and most likely do not mean to purposefully leave you on ‘read.’

Highlight Your Skills

In addition to taking into account students’ degrees, skills-based hiring is becoming increasingly important. In fact, approximately 46% of employers plan to expand skills-based hiring in 2026.

In your application materials, be sure to highlight actionable skills you learned from previous work experiences, including internships, part-time jobs, coursework, projects, or volunteer experiences.
Employers sometimes have trouble verifying your skills, so creating a portfolio with work samples can significantly strengthen your application.

Understand AI

Today, 78% of businesses report using AI, up from 55% the previous year, with industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and retail claiming the most AI-created growth.

Stay up to date with news about AI. You can follow AI company blogs and newsletters.
To learn more about AI, consider taking courses such as OpenAI Academy or Anthropic’s Fluency: Framework & Foundations.

Tailor Your Application Materials

Using a generic résumé may seem like it saves time, but it’s less likely to get you interviews. Studies show that tailored résumés increase the likelihood of reaching the interview or offer stage by up to 115%.

Need help with your résumé or cover letter? The Career and Development Center has your back. Schedule an appointment with your career coach here to receive personalized feedback on your application materials.

Sources: