How New Grad Job Seekers Can Stand Out With Potential Employers

BETHLEHEM, PA—New college graduates hoping to wow potential employers need to focus on demonstrating their skills and sharing examples that showcase how they have used their skills to solve problems.

This advice comes directly from employers responding to the Job Outlook 2026 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

“Providing evidence of their skills requires students to reflect on their experiences through the lens of the job search and make a connection between the skills they have gained and the job for which they are applying,” says Shawn VanDerziel, NACE president and chief executive officer.

“This is increasingly important for college students to hone because the use of skills-based hiring by employers is increasing.”

Among employers participating in NACE’s Job Outlook survey, 70% report using skill-based hiring, up from 65% last year.

To start, students can stand out simply by grasping what this approach to the recruiting process entails; fewer than 40% of graduating seniors said they were familiar with the term “skills-based hiring,” which is a strategic approach in which employers align their recruitment processes with the skills needed for success in today's dynamic workforce. Employers do so by focusing on the skills candidates have rather than just on academic degrees or grade point averages (GPA).

“In the past, many employers relied heavily on GPA to screen potential candidates; we’ve seen a big drop-off in that,” VanDerziel notes. “Recruiters that hire new college graduates tell us that, instead, they are focusing on skills. This benefits students by removing limits and widening the hiring focus to students who can show that they have the skills to do the job.”

What are the key skills employers look for?

“Our research consistently shows that, in addition to job-specific skills, employers seek critical thinking/problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills in the candidates they recruit,” VanDerziel says.

“These skills are often gained through work performed and programming offered during internships and other experiential education assignments, and through employment.”

Job seekers should include their skills on their resume and cover letter, but “they become 3-D—gaining context, depth, personality, and vibrancy—during job seeker-employer interactions,” VanDerziel explains.  

During interviews, employers use behavior-based questions to unearth key skills their candidates possess. This is a job seeker’s opportunity to demonstrate the pre-interview research they have done, articulate the skills and experiences they have gained, and relate them to the job, organization, and industry.

To prepare, soon-to-be-graduates can look for clues about the skills the employer is seeking; NACE research found that more than 80% of employers highlight key skills needed for the position when creating their job descriptions.

“What’s most important,” VanDerziel says, “is for job seekers to articulate the connection between the skills they have gained and the job they are applying for.”

About the Job Outlook 2026 survey: NACE collected data for its Job Outlook 2026 survey from August 7, 2025, through September 22, 2025. Of the 183 total respondents, 170 were NACE employer members, representing 22.7% of eligible member respondents. The Job Outlook 2026 survey was also distributed to nonmember companies; this group provided an additional 13 responses. Job Outlook 2026 is available on NACEWeb.

About the 2025 Student Survey: NACE’s 2025 Student Survey, sponsored by Indeed, was conducted April 1 through May 30, 2025; 13,684 college students, including 1,479 Class of 2025 graduating seniors at the bachelor’s degree level, took part. The 2025 Student Survey Report and dashboard are available on NACEWeb.

About the National Association of Colleges and Employers: Established in 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) is the only professional association in the United States that connects more than 13,000 college career services professionals, more than 3,800 early career talent acquisition professionals, and more than 400 business solution providers that serve this community.

NACE is the premier source of market research on employment of recent college graduates, and the college-to-career transition. NACE forecasts hiring and trends in the job market; tracks salaries, recruiting and hiring practices, and student attitudes and outcomes; and identifies best practices and benchmarks.

NACE offers its members unparalleled research, networking and professional development opportunities, guidance on standards and ethics, and advocacy on key issues. For more information, visit  www.naceweb.org. NACE maintains a virtual press room for the media.