Competing with AI for Jobs : 3 Smart Tips

1. Lead With Skills, Not Just a Degree
2. The Secret: People Hire People
3. Differentiate By Combining AI With Human Skills

The latest headlines covering new grads and the job market can feel discouraging. The news is buzzing with economic uncertainty, the scarcity of tech and customer service jobs, and the fear of AI replacing the need for new hires. We hear concerns every day from parents, their students, and grads about the struggles they are facing in an unpredictable job market.

But here’s the truth: companies still need new talent. They’re simply raising the bar. Employers want people who can think critically, adapt quickly, and build real connections.

At Next Great Step, we’ve seen again and again that grads can land jobs, even in this tough market, when they take the right approach.

Here are 3 smart strategies to compete and succeed.

1. Lead With Skills, Not Just a Degree

A diploma alone isn’t enough anymore. Employers want to know what you can actually do and how you can help them solve a problem. That’s why we coach grads to identify their 3 core skills. Are you strong at analyzing data, communicating ideas, or leading teams? It’s not about naming a skill; it’s about showing proof with a story and measurable results.

For example, Jake, one of our clients said: “I helped my business investing club analyze 20 potential investments, presented recommendations, and our portfolio grew by 30% compared to the prior semester.”

That kind of story shows competence and results. Stories with outcomes are what get an employer’s attention.

2. The Secret: People Hire People

Here’s the reality: 80% of jobs are filled through referrals, yet most grads spend hours applying online and hear nothing back. Many companies have automated the candidate screening process, but have discovered their limitations. Employers such as Google, Cisco, and McKinsey are resuming in-person conversations after experiencing issues with virtual hiring.

Bottom line: people hire people. Jobs come through targeting networking, not just applications.

Take Jenna, one of our students. She used auto-apply tools to send out hundreds of applications and got nowhere. We showed her how networking really works with our 3As method:

• Answers – the insights you need from the conversation to know if the role is a fit
• Attitudes – what you want them to believe about you and your skills
• Actions – the action you ask the person to take that will move you further in the process, i.e., refer to a colleague or hiring manager

Once Jenna practiced this, her confidence increased. Within weeks, she had referrals and interviews that online applications never delivered.

3. Differentiate by Combining AI with Human Skills

AI has automated many of the routine tasks that were completed by new hires, such as data entry or scheduling. That can feel intimidating, but it also creates opportunities for grads who know how to use AI as a tool while showcasing the human skills technology cannot replace.

Employers say grads often fall short in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability skills. At the same time, they also expect candidates to be comfortable with AI. The winning formula is to show how you can blend both.

One of our students, Carly, used AI to analyze a dataset, but then she took it further. She interpreted the results, identified the key insights, and presented them in a way that leadership could act on. AI did the processing, but her judgment and communication made it valuable. That is what employers want. Not just “I can use ChatGPT,” but “I can use AI to work smarter, then apply my human skills to drive results.”

The Bottom Line:

The Class of 2025 is entering one of the most competitive markets in years. AI has taken away some traditional entry-level roles, but it has also raised the premium on skills that only humans can deliver: adaptability, connection, and problem-solving.

At Next Great Step, we bridge the gap between what colleges provide and what employers expect. Our clients learn how to define their skills, build a targeted network, and interview with confidence. And the results are clear: 80% of our clients land the job of their choice.

If your student is feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or invisible in this new AI-driven hiring world, there is a way forward. The jobs are not disappearing. They are shifting. With the right guidance, your grad can stand out, get hired, and take the next great step toward independence.

Ready to help your student rise above the bots and land a job they are proud of? Schedule a complimentary consultation with us today or call 973-577-6161.