Key Takeaways:

AI is reshaping entry-level hiring, but it’s not eliminating opportunities, just raising the bar for new grads.

• Soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability are now essential, not optional. 51% of executives cite verbal skills as the top gap in today’s graduates.
• Technical skills alone aren’t enough, employers want candidates who can collaborate, think critically, and explain their ideas clearly.
• Credentials still matter, with GPA and school prestige playing a role, but they no longer guarantee success.
• Most executives (57%) say today’s grads are better prepared than pre-pandemic cohorts, especially in digital fluency and resilience.
• Employers should balance hiring criteria, support skill-building, and value real-world competencies.
• Job seekers should actively build and demonstrate soft skills, through projects, public speaking, and adaptability in changing environments.

Bottom line: AI is automating tasks, but not talent. Human skills are still the real differentiator in a tech-driven job market.

A recent survey from Spark Admissions, which gathered insights from 84 C-suite executives, reveals how AI is transforming the early-career hiring landscape. The key takeaway? Entry-level roles aren’t disappearing entirely, but they are being redefined, and the bar to entry is getting higher.

Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 reveals that 40% of employers expect to reduce their workforce where AI can automate tasks. These are typically routine or repetitive tasks that machines can now handle more efficiently than humans. But despite this shift, there’s no mass change from hiring recent college graduates. In fact, 55% of executives say their hiring of new grads is either stable or increasing.

So what’s changing? 

It’s not the presence of jobs, it’s the expectations attached to them.

A New Breed of Entry-Level Employee

The days when a fresh graduate could walk into a company, learn the ropes on the job, and gradually grow into a role may be coming to an end. Today, companies expect new hires to hit the ground running, often in positions that demand a mix of technical know-how and advanced cognitive skills.

What’s more surprising is that technical skills, once seen as the golden ticket, are no longer enough.

“While technical competence remains important, students who develop strong communication skills alongside their domain expertise will have a significant advantage in this transformed job market,” explains Rachel Rubin, co-founder of Spark Admissions.

Soft Skills Are Now Hard Requirements

The survey reveals a striking gap in what employers say they need and what graduates often lack. More than half of executives (51%) cited verbal communication and presentation skills as the top deficiency in today’s grads. Close behind were problem-solving and critical thinking, noted by 50% of respondents.

These are not “nice to haves” anymore, they’re essential. As Rubin puts it, “Universities and students need to recognize that soft skills aren’t secondary, they’re increasingly the primary differentiator for success.”

Employers want candidates who can explain their ideas clearly, work collaboratively, think critically, and adapt quickly. This evolution in expectations means that interpersonal abilities are being valued right alongside, or even above, coding languages or analytical tools.

Credentials Still Count, But They’re Not Everything

Even in a skills-driven market, academic achievements still hold weight. A strong GPA matters to 83% of executives, and 51% consider the prestige of a student’s university to be a critical factor. Many companies still rely on preferred school lists when screening candidates, reinforcing the importance of academic branding.

But in this new environment, a diploma alone won’t get you through the door, or keep you there.

A Surprisingly Positive Outlook for Today’s Grads

Here’s some good news: Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, 57% of executives believe today’s graduates are better prepared than those who came before them. Only 20% feel that preparedness has declined. 

This suggests that students have adapted in meaningful ways, developing digital fluency and resilience, traits that are increasingly valuable in modern workplaces.

What Can Employers and Employees Do About This?

The shifting hiring landscape may feel daunting, but both employers and job seekers can take proactive steps to thrive in this new era.

For Employers (CEOs, Managers, Business Owners):

• Make sure postings reflect the need for both technical and soft skills, not just one or the other.
  
• Help new grads bridge the gap between school and work by offering support that hones their communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
  
• Consider moving beyond GPA and school rankings to assess real-world competencies through skills-based interviews and scenario-based assessments.
  
• Encourage your teams to grow both their technical expertise and interpersonal strengths.
  

For Employees (Especially Recent Grads):

• Practice speaking clearly, presenting your ideas, and writing effectively. These skills will set you apart.
  
• Internships, side projects, and case competitions are great ways to build critical thinking skills.
  
• Showcase how you’ve navigated change, whether during the pandemic or in a team setting, to demonstrate resilience and flexibility.
  
• Whether it’s a new tool, a public speaking course, or leadership training, showing initiative in self-development signals long-term value to employers.
  

AI is undeniably reshaping the entry-level job market, but it’s not a story of doom. Rather, it’s a wake-up call for both employers and young professionals to recalibrate expectations and focus on what truly matters. 

As automation takes over the rote, human capabilities like communication, empathy, and problem-solving rise in value. In this new world of work, soft skills aren’t just useful, they’re indispensable.

For more insights, explore filtaglobal.com.