New Grad Jobs: Finding Them and Landing Them

March 27, 2025
By:
Brandi Day
New Grad Jobs: Finding Them and Landing Them

It’s an art and a science—and we’re giving you a playbook to both sides, right now. 

Introduction

If you’re like most new grads, that post-graduation high lasted just over 72 hours before pure, unadulterated panic set in. 

Your inbox is empty.
Your LinkedIn is now silent. 

Your bank account is…on borrowed time. 

And everyone wants to know “what’s next.” 

Yikes.

Oh, and the job market for graduate jobs in 2025 isn’t exactly the stuff of dreams. Entry-level roles require 3-5 years of experience, minimum (LOL!) and application systems are rejecting resumes faster than your favorite dating apps reject spam profiles. 

This you? It doesn’t have to be. 

Landing a new grad job IS still possible. You just have to know how to search for those coveted new grad jobs that pay what you need. 

You’re in the right place. Read on to learn more. 

Finding New Grad Jobs (Actually) Worth Your Time 

As with any good thing, you have to know where to look to find it. Our top tip? Ditch the overcrowded, mainstream job sites where your application sits with 40,000 others in digital purgatory. 

Instead, you should focus your attention and energy on the lesser-known, higher-ROI spots, like: 

  • Industry-specific job boards: There’s at least one out there for any major industry—and they’re home to dozens of little-known corporate job opportunities and well-paying gigs. Take a search for yours by putting this into Google: “job boards for (industry) in (year).” Thank us later. 
  • Your newly-joined alumni portal: Most schools have a virtual gathering “space” or group for alumni of the university—and more often than not, jobs are available there. You can also use it as a powerful networking tool. You know you have at least one thing in common with other members, after all. 
  • Your local chamber of commerce: More specifically, its directory. There’s nothing wrong with whipping out a good-ol’ Excel spreadsheet and calling down a list of businesses to inquire about opportunities or offer services. Everyone starts somewhere. 
  • Facebook groups: Unorthodox? Sure. Effective? Absolutely. Groups that are industry-specific and advice-oriented (like Women in Marketing, for example, which boasts thousands of members) are great for finding roles—and they’re easier to communicate within compared to tools like Indeed. 

Here’s An Application Strategy That (Actually) Works 

Jobs can get thousands of applications today—which is why we need to help you shift your strategy from status quo to searching pro. 

Successful new grads are: 

  • Not blasting their resume to hundreds of opportunities a week. We know it’s counterintuitive—but it’s true. Instead, pour your energy into tailoring your application to just 3-5 roles per week. A slower cadence helps avoid burnout, and lets you really pour yourself into each opportunity. 
  • Translating their academic projects into actual professional accomplishments. Group projects, presentations, research, and more all deserve a place on your resume. Take a quick inventory of your achievements, and pick the best and most relevant few to bulk up your application with. You have more experience than you think. 
  • Using video resumes to stand out from the crowd: The latest move in the job search? Video resumes. These outperform traditional resumes by a long shot, giving employers the exact information they need to make their decision—quickly. Instead of restricting yourself to your biggest on-paper wins, you have a shot to beat out your competition by speaking directly to your hiring party; giving them a true view of yourself as a candidate. (The best part? Tools like Real Hire let you create yours for free!) 

Speaking of Video Resumes and New Grad Jobs… 

You’ve really got to jump on Real Hire

While managers are sifting through stacks of cookie-cutter applications and suspiciously AI-appearing cover letters, your video intro gives you an instant “in.” You’re no longer just a name with the same degree as 450 members of your graduating class. You’re a living, breathing representation of who and what they want to see in the role. 

It’s easier than traditional resume creation. It’s faster, smarter, and cheaper, too. You can join Real Hire now for just $0—and you can make as many tailored profiles as you want for use across role types and industries. 

You can share your Real Hire profile URL directly in your resume and on your LinkedIn profile to help you stand out in your application. 

Takeaway 

The hunt for new grad jobs isn’t for the faint of heart. You’re competing with thousands of graduates with nearly identical credentials, all fighting for the next available graduate jobs out there. 

That’s why you need to stop the spray-and-pray approach your classmates are doing and work smarter—specifically, using industry-specific job boards and alumni networks to find your next opportunities—then using Real Hire’s video resume tool to shoot your shot. 

Get ahead of the months-long search and secure your dream role with Real Hire.