Somehow, new college grads are optimistic amid a brutal job market, report shows

You graduated, moved back home, submitted dozens (maybe hundreds) of applications, and finally landed a job—that you’re probably overqualified for. Welcome to the life of a recent college grad. According to ZipRecruiter’s recent graduate report—which surveyed 1,500 college grads from 2025 and 1,500 rising graduates—the current job market is changing how a new wave of young adults is studying, working, and living. And despite obstacles, they remain hopeful about reaching their professional goals in the near future. New grads face intense competition today than in past years, as entry-level o...