Prepzi - Advanced AI Interview Prep

Uncover what hiring managers are truly looking for in recent college graduates they interview and how you can show them you’re the perfect fit, even without years of experience.

So, you’ve finally earned your degree and are ready to take on the world—now all you need is someone to hire you. Post-grad life is exciting, but it also means stepping into uncharted territory when it comes to navigating the professional world, especially in 2025.

A recent study from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported the widest unemployment gap between new graduates and experienced degree holders since the 1990s. Amidst increased competition and changing employer expectations, it’s no wonder college graduates are struggling to land their dream jobs.

You might not have years of experience yet, but there’s plenty you can do to let your value shine through in a job interview. In this blog, we’ll break down what employers are really looking for from recent college grads.

A Strong Work Ethic

Here’s the deal: hiring managers aren’t expecting you to know everything about your job on day one, but they do expect you to bring your A-game and put in the effort. Sleeping in until 10 a.m. or putting off assignments until the night before they’re due may have worked in college, but employers are looking for someone who’s motivated, reliable, and can tackle challenges without hand-holding. The key here: prove that you’ve got the hustle to get things done and the drive to grow, even if you don’t have the experience yet.

Transferable Skills

If you're worried about your lack of experience, focus on the transferable skills you've developed that can apply to any role or industry. Whether you're a social media pro, an Excel wizard, or a PowerPoint master, the trick is showing how you can apply what you’ve learned to real-world situations.

Did you crush a group project that required collaboration? Tell that story. Can you clearly communicate your ideas through emails or presentations? Show them. Instead of just listing your skills, demonstrate them through examples. That’s what will make you stand out.

A Growth Mindset

When hiring recent grads, employers are looking for someone who’s eager to learn and can take constructive feedback like a champ. A growth mindset is all about being open to change, learning new things, and embracing challenges with a “bring it on” attitude. If you can show that you’re not set in your ways and are willing to evolve with the company, you’re already one step ahead.

Experience—Sort Of

While you may not have years of professional experience, you’ve likely been balancing internships, schoolwork, and perhaps even a part-time job. The goal is to show how those experiences helped you build real, practical skills. Maybe you didn’t run a multi-million-dollar campaign, but if you helped create a marketing strategy for a student-run advertising group, guess what? That’s relevant.

Hiring managers want to see that you’ve done something meaningful, even if it wasn’t in a full-time role. If you're feeling stuck on how to best articulate your story, AI interview prep tools like Prepzi.ai can help you sharpen your interview responses, ensuring your most impressive experience takes center stage.

Enthusiasm

No one wants to hire someone who’s more excited about going home to watch Netflix than contributing to the team. Hiring managers are looking for passion—show them that you’re not just applying because you need a paycheck, but because you want to be part of the company’s mission.

Did you research the company before applying? Perfect. Are you genuinely excited about the work they’re doing? Even better. Enthusiasm is contagious, and hiring managers are drawn to people who have energy and a can-do attitude.

So, remember: employers aren’t expecting perfection, but they do want to see motivation, adaptability, transferable skills, and passion. If you’ve got those, you’re already halfway there.