LinkedIn's 2025 Grad Guide: How To Get Hired Fast And Launch A Great Career

Forbes

20-05-2025

New grads discover how to make smart career choices that lead to long-term success and happiness.
As exciting as it was to walk across the stage and accept your hard-earned diploma, the reality soon sets in that you don't have a job. It's overwhelming to think about. When people ask you 'what do you want to do' – it's scary when you don't have an answer. You may have a degree with an applicable major such as engineering, marketing, computer science, or accounting, but in today's economy, getting hired is challenging.
Many new graduates are stumped because the job market is tough. As a career counselor who helps new grads land a position, I repeatedly hear, "I just want to get a job." Yet, this is the wrong way to launch your future. Having advised numerous students on career choices, which industries to enter, and where to find a good position, and helped them secure it, my perspective is different. I want to launch a career. That means the new graduate begins a job with a bright future in an industry that is growing.
When making these important career choices, there are four pillars on which to build your career foundation. They are your skills, strengths, interests, and available opportunities. Do some self-analysis, and ask yourself:
What are my interests?
What are my skills? My strengths?
What are my most important values?
Then add to that the most critical factor -- WHO is hiring now?
Nest, consider the employment and opportunity picture. Enter LinkedIn News's 2025 Grad's Guide created by the LinkedIn's data science team's analysis of the career paths of millions of professionals highlighting the first position that students secured after graduation. This key information identified the fastest-growing jobs, which industries have better options, and where 20-somethings are moving to that offer affordable living with plenty of job openings.
Fastest-growing jobs
Whatever your major, the road ahead will take several turns and pivots as you go through life. New jobs that don't even exist now will come on the horizon, and you may find yourself in a great role you never conceived of. You always want to be open-minded. As of today, LinkedIn's data identified 10 jobs it sees as having bright futures. These fastest-growing jobs include some tech roles, as well as others.
AI Engineer - no surprise there. And there will be a wide array of future jobs connected to the AI revolution – most of these job titles have not been created yet.
Law Clerk - for people seeking to start a legal career.
Data Center Technician – troubleshoots hardware and networking systems and maintains smooth operations.
Systems Engineer – designs, integrates, and manages complex IT systems.
Financial Planning & Analysis Specialist – also known as a Financial Analyst.
Business Development Representative – part of the sales team handling prospecting.
Administrative Analyst – focused on evaluating administrative processes, systems, procedures, and data analysis to make operational improvements.
Product Associate – support the development and launch of new or improved products.
Service Desk Specialist – IT support and help desk job
Clinician – Doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals.
Fastest-growing industries
With tech hiring declining, you may need to shift where you look. Broaden your net and consider these industries that will offer good opportunities now and in the future.
Best places to move to
The 20-somethings seem enamored with heading to the big cities they can't afford. Based on what they tell me, my unofficial survey shows that the popular cities to move to are New York (which tops the list), Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, and Boston. Denver is moderately expensive; the others have the highest living costs in the country.
LinkedIn's research showed that upon graduation, people are moving to these affordable cities that offer solid job opportunities to launch their careers. Another plus is that some are in states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee, with no state income tax.
The fastest-growing cities where grads are moving to are:
- Tucson AZ
- Savannah GA
- Tallahassee FL
- Chattanooga TN
- Virginia Beach VA
- Tulsa OK
- Knoxville TN
- Dallas TX
- San Antonio TX
- Houston TX
Decision-making advice
Nothing is written in concrete, but mistakes can be disheartening and expensive. Too many people rush off with a dream, like students who move to LA, planning to get into the film industry, only to see that option never materialize. Dreams are important – they make life exciting and can push you forward to achieve your goal. However, having a backup plan, or even a Plan C, is a wise strategy too.
You want to avoid making expensive mistakes, such as moving somewhere new and not liking it, or investing a lot of time in a field you find unrewarding or very different from what you thought. To prevent some of this from happening, do your homework.
– Research and investigate the job duties to see if they align with the kind of work you'd enjoy. Use ChatGPT or Perplexity.ai , both are good resources for this kind of insightful career information.
– Talk to people who are doing the job. Target individuals fresh out of college with no more than 2-3 years of experience. They can provide you with actual inside information, giving you a realistic picture of what performing the job is like.
– Visit before you move. Stay awhile. Check to see if you or your friends, relatives, or classmates know anyone in the new town you can talk to. You want to get an accurate picture before you relocate. Be sure to check out some apartments during your visit. Location is paramount, so be close to work. Look at a few apartments for a realistic estimate of the monthly rent and utilities costs.
Priority #1 – get good experience
Salary should not be your driver -- getting good training and mentorship to learn as much as possible is a better objective. You want to work for a terrific employer under a great manager who will foster your professional development and guide you on the ins and outs of working within the company. Ideally, you want to be hired by an employer who will enhance and expand your skills, ensuring that you are not underutilized.
You can't put a price on happiness
Nothing will ruin your life more than working at a job you hate, one that is making you miserable.
There is one strategy that doesn't work and it is the old, outdated cliché, 'I just want to get a foot in the door no matter what the role is.' This approach will lead to significant frustration when it takes you a few years to gain enough internal experience and the opportunity to move into a better job may never materialize.
Being paid well is important, but money can't be the only driver. Consider these key factors that have a direct impact on your daily life.
- Would you like that company?
- Will you be excited to go to work there every day?
- Will the boss be a great manager?
- Can you get promoted?
Yes, there is much to consider to make a wise choice. Conducting thorough research, investigation, and digging beneath the surface will enable you to set yourself up for a successful and happy future.