AI has shrunk entry-level jobs by a third: Here are 6 smart ways to stand out as a fresher
In an era where algorithms are sharpening their resumes and machines are nailing interviews, the job market has begun to shift under the feet of fresh graduates . According to a recent report, the number of new entry-level jobs has plummeted by nearly a third, precisely 31.9%, since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. Positions once tailored for eager newcomers, internships, apprenticeships, and graduate roles, are quietly evaporating, giving way to automation, cost-cutting, and a new economic logic.
Research by Adzuna, a prominent job search platform, reveals that entry-level roles now comprise only a quarter of the job market, a decline of nearly 4% over two years. As companies race to streamline operations, many are doing away with the very roles that once served as the stepping stones to meaningful careers.
It’s not merely speculative. Tech and telecom giants like BT have already laid out plans to replace tens of thousands of roles with artificial intelligence, including call-handling and diagnostic positions. Meanwhile, executives from cutting-edge AI firms such as Anthropic have projected that up to half of all entry-level white-collar jobs could vanish within the next five years.
The writing is on the wall. But for those just entering the workforce, all is not lost. In fact, this disruption could prove to be an unlikely catalyst, pushing freshers to adapt smarter, learn faster, and carve unique niches that machines still can’t fill. Here are six strategic ways for young professionals to stay relevant, visible, and indispensable in an AI-altered job market:
Build hybrid skill sets
Gone are the days when mastering a single domain was enough. Today’s job market demands fusion expertise, a blend of technical fluency and human-centric skills. A fresher who can code and communicate, or analyse data and understand consumer psychology, is far more likely to land a role than someone who leans on just one talent. Consider learning data analytics, prompt engineering, or no-code automation tools alongside your core discipline.
Craft a personal digital brand
When recruiters are drowning in automated applications, a standout online presence can make all the difference. Build a portfolio, share your projects on platforms like LinkedIn and GitHub, and contribute thoughtfully to industry conversations. Digital visibility is no longer optional, it’s your modern résumé.
Prioritise roles that demand critical thinking and emotional intelligence
AI may win at pattern recognition and task repetition, but it still lags in judgement, nuance, and empathy. Seek out roles in strategy, human resources, marketing, or creative industries, fields where interpretation, emotional insight, and ethical decision-making are paramount. These are domains where freshers can still thrive, especially if they bring fresh perspectives to the table.
Leverage internships and freelance gigs as launch pads
Even if full-time entry-level jobs are dwindling, short-term opportunities, micro-internships, freelance gigs, and project-based roles are on the rise. Use them to gain experience, network with industry professionals, and build a credible work portfolio. Think of it as assembling your own staircase when the traditional ladder has vanished.
Learn to work with AI, not against it
AI is not your enemy, it’s your new colleague. Upskill in tools that augment productivity, from ChatGPT and Midjourney to automation platforms and data tools. Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who can co-create with machines, not compete against them. Understanding how to prompt, edit, and oversee AI output can be a powerful differentiator.
Target AI-resilient industries
Trades like plumbing, electrical work, construction, and bespoke crafts may seem traditional, but they are also among the most AI-proof. Similarly, roles involving physical dexterity or complex, real-world environments, like healthcare, social work, and education, are unlikely to be fully automated. Explore how your existing skills can be repurposed in these spaces, or acquire adjacent skills that allow for entry.
A new kind of entry
What once was a predictable progression, college, internship, job, has fractured. But with disruption comes the opportunity to rewrite the rules. Employers may be hiring less at the bottom, but they’re also watching more closely for self-starters, lateral thinkers, and resilient minds.
Yes, AI has closed one door. But for the ambitious, the curious, and the adaptable, many more remain wide open, waiting to be found, or better yet, built.
Research by Adzuna, a prominent job search platform, reveals that entry-level roles now comprise only a quarter of the job market, a decline of nearly 4% over two years. As companies race to streamline operations, many are doing away with the very roles that once served as the stepping stones to meaningful careers.
It’s not merely speculative. Tech and telecom giants like BT have already laid out plans to replace tens of thousands of roles with artificial intelligence, including call-handling and diagnostic positions. Meanwhile, executives from cutting-edge AI firms such as Anthropic have projected that up to half of all entry-level white-collar jobs could vanish within the next five years.
The writing is on the wall. But for those just entering the workforce, all is not lost. In fact, this disruption could prove to be an unlikely catalyst, pushing freshers to adapt smarter, learn faster, and carve unique niches that machines still can’t fill. Here are six strategic ways for young professionals to stay relevant, visible, and indispensable in an AI-altered job market:
Build hybrid skill sets
Gone are the days when mastering a single domain was enough. Today’s job market demands fusion expertise, a blend of technical fluency and human-centric skills. A fresher who can code and communicate, or analyse data and understand consumer psychology, is far more likely to land a role than someone who leans on just one talent. Consider learning data analytics, prompt engineering, or no-code automation tools alongside your core discipline.
Craft a personal digital brand
When recruiters are drowning in automated applications, a standout online presence can make all the difference. Build a portfolio, share your projects on platforms like LinkedIn and GitHub, and contribute thoughtfully to industry conversations. Digital visibility is no longer optional, it’s your modern résumé.
Prioritise roles that demand critical thinking and emotional intelligence
AI may win at pattern recognition and task repetition, but it still lags in judgement, nuance, and empathy. Seek out roles in strategy, human resources, marketing, or creative industries, fields where interpretation, emotional insight, and ethical decision-making are paramount. These are domains where freshers can still thrive, especially if they bring fresh perspectives to the table.
Leverage internships and freelance gigs as launch pads
Even if full-time entry-level jobs are dwindling, short-term opportunities, micro-internships, freelance gigs, and project-based roles are on the rise. Use them to gain experience, network with industry professionals, and build a credible work portfolio. Think of it as assembling your own staircase when the traditional ladder has vanished.
Learn to work with AI, not against it
AI is not your enemy, it’s your new colleague. Upskill in tools that augment productivity, from ChatGPT and Midjourney to automation platforms and data tools. Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who can co-create with machines, not compete against them. Understanding how to prompt, edit, and oversee AI output can be a powerful differentiator.
Target AI-resilient industries
Trades like plumbing, electrical work, construction, and bespoke crafts may seem traditional, but they are also among the most AI-proof. Similarly, roles involving physical dexterity or complex, real-world environments, like healthcare, social work, and education, are unlikely to be fully automated. Explore how your existing skills can be repurposed in these spaces, or acquire adjacent skills that allow for entry.
A new kind of entry
What once was a predictable progression, college, internship, job, has fractured. But with disruption comes the opportunity to rewrite the rules. Employers may be hiring less at the bottom, but they’re also watching more closely for self-starters, lateral thinkers, and resilient minds.
Yes, AI has closed one door. But for the ambitious, the curious, and the adaptable, many more remain wide open, waiting to be found, or better yet, built.
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