Advice for New Grads & Juniors in a Seemingly Impossible Job Market

Whenever I go to a conference or networking event, I never quite know what to say to new grads. In craft-oriented disciplines like design and technology, the bottom rung of the career ladder is rapidly disappearing. It's no wonder so many new grads feel betrayed, lost and disenchanted with their professional prospects.

In the technology space, it's easy to blame the usual suspects: bootcamps, ZIRP era hiring, inflation, AI, etc.

But that doesn't help with groceries or rent.

So here's the imperfect but pragmatic advice I'd give to anyone struggling in the current job market, especially early career professionals.

1. Find a professional community
   Early in your career, community matters more than almost anything else. It's where you learn how the industry actually works, pick up the shared language, and get exposure to contacts and opportunities that aren't posted publicly.
   
   In Calgary, we're fortunate to have groups like UX Calgary, Product Calgary, Pixels and Pints and Careers in Technology & Innovation (CITI) organizing regular gatherings. There are also countless business associations, marketing communities, coffee meetups, happy hours, and more — try a few and see which ones feel right.
   
2. Build real projects
   One of the most effective things you can do in your job search is to take the initiative and build portfolio projects. When 90% of applicants are relying on school assignments, creating something of your own demonstrates a higher level of commitment.
   
   What I often recommend is signing up for a hackathon. These events bring together designers, product managers, and developers to build a real proof-of-concept in just a day or two. Hackathons aren't just portfolio fodder, they're also a chance to work alongside experienced professionals, learn how teams actually operate, and get exposure to real-world constraints. Some of the projects even go on to become real startups.
   
3. Ask for coffee chats
   Scott Galloway says the key to landing a job is to be as social as possible. Informal interviews are an effective way to make contacts, learn industry language, and discover opportunities that might not make it to job boards.
   
   Most professionals will say "yes" to a 20 minute coffee if you take the initiative to reach out. Ask how they got started and what skills they see as essential. You should prepare for these conversations the same as you would for an interview — but remember that the purpose of a coffee introduction isn't to land a job, it's to learn.
   
4. Become an AI native (but don't outsource your soul)
   I was surprised when a young designer told me recently that she didn't feel she could include an AI-generated prototype in her portfolio because it wasn't a "real" design project. So let me be clear: demonstrating how you think about artificial intelligence isn't a nice-to-have in today's market, it's a foundational skill.
   
   As a young professional without the baggage of old ways of doing things, you have an opportunity to position yourself as an AI-first builder. Just be thoughtful about it — think about which parts of your work can be safely outsourced, and which still require human judgement and critical thinking.

Especially at the junior level, companies are making an investment. Hiring managers know that they'll have to spend time mentoring, coaching, and developing your skills before they see a return.

Your job as a candidate, is to do everything you possibly can to make yourself look like a sure bet. That means making industry connections, learning the language, showcasing skills, and perhaps most importantly, demonstrating a learning mindset.

Speaking from personal experience, the market will improve... eventually.

I was in the final years of university when the 2008 financial crisis hit. I remember the promise in my first couple of years – that companies would be fighting for the opportunity to hire us.

When the market collapsed, the professors just... stopped saying it. There was no acknowledgement of the broken promise.

When I graduated two years later it was still a difficult job market. It took a bit of luck, persistence, and some early social media savvy to finally land my first internship. I had to learn how to demonstrate my value as a so-called digital native.

And then, the market did turn around. It will happen again. As they say, this too shall pass.

So keep at it. And in the meantime, do everything you can to prepare yourself for that moment when things finally do turn around.

PS. If you'd like to arrange a coffee chat, feel free to reach out, or book a virtual office hours conversation.