The job market took a significant hit after COVID-19, impacting the industries that claimed to be untouchable in opportunities, specifically, the tech industry. The year 2020 witnessed mass hiring, and the repercussions of that mass hiring are mass layoffs in the current year, 2025. But in this constant rat race of hiring and firing experienced employees, the ones truly suffering are the entry-level candidates. With experienced professionals available on the market, the first preference goes to them rather than the fresh graduates.
Students about to graduate–or those who have just graduated–struggle to get a chance to prove themselves, as hiring managers often lean toward candidates with prior work experience. Fresh graduates are stuck in a constant loop: they can’t get a job because they lack experience, and they can’t gain experience because they can’t get a job. While this reality seems to be common knowledge for anyone applying for jobs right now, hearing directly from those affected may provide a new perspective.
A computer science major from Seattle Central shared his experience: “The IT and technology sectors are always fiercely competitive, now more than ever,” he said.
In his opinion, layoffs highlight the market’s unpredictability. While harmful to workers, layoffs also pave the way for reorganization and the emergence of new roles, particularly for those with updated, relevant skill sets.
He has heard a lot of buzz around major companies reorganizing to prioritize emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science. He believes people who consistently upgrade their skills are most likely to thrive in this ever-changing environment. Although it is an exciting time full of opportunity, it is also a time when one must stay current to stay relevant.
For international students, the process is even more complicated. While tech hiring is down in general, the process is much more simplified if the candidate holds a green card or U.S citizenship, as it eliminates visa complications.
But it’s not just freshers from Seattle Central who are struggling. Two students from Seattle University shared their experiences navigating the tech job market.
One student, who has always dreamed of coming to the United States, applied to over 400 jobs, including internships, part-time, and full-time positions, over the past year. He received rejections from 98% of them. He described the current job market in one word: “abysmal.”
Entry-level jobs, he said, now require four to six years of experience as a minimum qualification. Three people from his batch got internships, and only two received full-time offers out of roughly 100 to 200 students in both computer science and data science programs. According to him, applicants don’t stand a chance by applying directly on company websites. Without a referral, recruiters won’t even look at the application. He stated that each application takes at least 30 minutes to fill in the same information that’s already on the résumé, all for that just to receive a rejection for not meeting the standard of six years of experience for an entry-level role.
Layoffs, in his opinion, are even scarier. “After a rigorous interview process, if you somehow land a job, not even that is a safe bet anymore,” he said. What he finds even scarier is that the people with over 10 years of experience, now laid off, are applying for the same jobs as the freshers with no experience.
Initially, he was under the impression that he was doing something wrong. But he soon learned that even his classmates with five years of experience were struggling just like freshers. International students have a ticking clock for OPT (Optional Practical Training). He also mentioned that numerous companies with big names, including Intel, have stopped offering visa-sponsored positions. If time runs out after OPT, students are forced to give up on their dreams and return to their home countries.
He concluded by saying, “I hope I get an opportunity and so I can give it my all and actually prove myself. I hope these ridiculous expectations for a fresher position become better.”
He shared that he had cleared technical and behavioural interviews but was still rejected because of his citizenship status. In one case, the company needed a U.S. citizen; in others, he believes they lost interest after learning he was an international student.
People with 20 years of experience have told him that they have never seen the market this bad. Recruiting agencies are shutting down because no one wants to hire, not even for contract roles. From what he has heard, every single field has been hit in a similar way. In an era where prices are skyrocketing, job opportunities and salaries are plummeting, it truly is the second Great Depression.
From a slightly more hopeful perspective, another student, AJ, is in his final quarter. He has applied to over 50 jobs since September 2024 but hasn’t heard back from any.
“It’s been bad, but there have been more postings recently, and I’ve seen some of my friends slowly getting jobs, so it seems to be getting better,” said AJ. Layoffs are certainly concerning. Although there isn’t much one can do about it, it gives hope, as freshers hope that layoffs might give them a chance to earn a job. But there is always the uncertainty of being laid off once they finally get one.
AJ has heard mixed opinions. Some say there’s going to be another bad season soon with more layoffs, and the optimists are saying it’s only getting better from here, treating it as the rain before the rainbow. But even with some optimism, if a company had to choose between two similar candidates—one an international student and the other a green card holder or U.S. citizen—the latter would likely be preferred. Besides, there are many jobs that don’t or simply can’t sponsor international students at all.
AJ concludes by saying, “I’m hoping it gets better, but nobody knows for sure, but I do have a feeling that it’s going to get better from here on now. More job listings. More hiring.”
Seattle Central College has been proactive in providing career services, including job fairs, résumé workshops, and networking events. Seattle University offers help with résumés and career fairs. But even at these job fairs, most students often hear: “Thank you for coming, please check out the website.”
With the market in its current state, the question remains: What more can be done to help freshers get their foot in the door?
Author
Vrindha, an international student from India, is fueled by her fervent love for diverse art forms such as dance, drama, music and theatre. Eager to immerse herself in new experiences and broaden her horizons, she sees her involvement with the Collegian as a gateway to both sharing her passions and delving into new realms of knowledge.
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