EPISODE · Jun 18, 2026 · 16 MIN
What Every New Graduate Needs To Hear In 2026
from Work Hotline with Sho Dewan · host Sho Dewan
Why does it feel harder than ever to land a job after graduation? In this episode of The Work Hotline, Sho Dewan (@workhap) breaks down why recent grads are facing the highest unemployment rate in about a decade, with over 41% underemployed in jobs that don’t even require their degree. The truth is, the ladder didn’t disappear, it broke. Companies aren’t cutting jobs, they’re just hiring more experienced people and leaving entry-level roles flat. So Sho shares 3 things every new grad can actually control right now: building proof of work instead of just another resume, ditching the “apply to everything” approach for a more strategic search, and letting go of the pressure to find the “perfect” first job. Plus, he answers real calls from listeners feeling behind, overwhelmed, and unsure if they’re failing or just new: “Am I actually behind, or does it just feel that way?” Remember that your first job isn’t proof of your worth. It’s just the entry point. Subscribe to Workhap: www.youtube.com/workhap Pre-order Sho’s Get Hired book: www.workhap.com/book Want to be featured in our next episode? Leave a voice note: +1 (701) 888 9178 or em Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more: https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript Stay Connected Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes More From Forbes: http://forbes.com Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Why does it feel harder than ever to land a job after graduation? In this episode of The Work Hotline, Sho Dewan (@workhap) breaks down why recent grads are facing the highest unemployment rate in about a decade, with over 41% underemployed in jobs that don’t even require their degree. The truth is, the ladder didn’t disappear, it broke. Companies aren’t cutting jobs, they’re just hiring more experienced people and leaving entry-level roles flat. So Sho shares 3 things every new grad can actually control right now: building proof of work instead of just another resume, ditching the “apply to everything” approach for a more strategic search, and letting go of the pressure to find the “perfect” first job. Plus, he answers real calls from listeners feeling behind, overwhelmed, and unsure if they’re failing or just new: “Am I actually behind, or does it just feel that way?” Remember that your first job isn’t proof of your worth. It’s just the entry point. Subscribe to Workhap: www.youtube.com/workhap Pre-order Sho’s Get Hired book: www.workhap.com/book Want to be featured in our next episode? Leave a voice note: +1 (701) 888 9178 or em Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more: https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript Stay Connected Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes More From Forbes: http://forbes.com Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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What Every New Graduate Needs To Hear In 2026
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