These College Seniors Locked In Job Offers. Here’s How They Did It.

First, the bad news: College seniors are facing tough competition for jobs after graduation. Now, some good: Many companies are still hiring. And unlike recent years, when numerous employers wrapped campus hiring in the fall, this year lots of businesses are recruiting into spring and summer, according to college career officers. College seniors who’ve locked in jobs after graduation say they did so by going above and beyond, tapping unexpected connections, industries and tactics to secure their roles. That’s a change from years when companies fought each other to snap up campus talent. Companies are expecting to hire about 2% fewer graduating seniors this year, according to a survey of more than 250 employers by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.