23% of hiring managers will cut 2026 college grad hiring
ResumeTemplates.com reports that 23% of hiring managers will reduce hiring of 2026 college graduates due to AI restructuring and skill gaps. The survey finds 45% of companies have shifted entry-level work to senior workers using AI tools. Managers cite concerns over work ethic, professionalism, and basic comprehension skills.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
ResumeTemplates.com has released a survey indicating that 23% of hiring managers will cut their hiring of 2026 college graduates, taking on fewer than last year or none at all. The reduction follows a restructuring where 45% of companies have shifted entry-level work to senior workers paired with AI tools. The survey of 1,000 U.S. hiring managers at companies with 101 or more employees highlights a shift in budget allocation, with 55% having moved part of their entry-level hiring budget to AI.
AI Replaces Entry-Level Roles
The integration of AI into the workforce is reshaping the structure of entry-level positions. According to the survey, 45% of hiring managers report their company has restructured so that one senior worker plus AI now performs the work of multiple entry-level employees. At 20% of companies, this arrangement covers three or more roles. Additionally, 48% of managers stated their company would rather invest in AI than hire and train a recent college graduate.
Hiring Managers' Concerns
Managers expressed significant concerns regarding the readiness of recent graduates for the workforce. The survey found that 69% of hiring managers cited at least one character concern, with a lack of work ethic (33%), professionalism (32%), and motivation (31%) being the top complaints. A lack of relevant work experience was the single most-named concern, identified by 45% of managers.
Skill Gaps Identified
The report highlights specific deficiencies in basic professional skills. Three-quarters of managers stated that recent graduates need help reading routine documents such as memos, contracts, or budgets. Furthermore, 41% of managers indicated that recent graduates cannot write a professional email or perform basic business writing. Trust in graduates' ability to interact with customers is also low, with only 17% of managers fully trusting recent graduates in front of customers.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by ResumeTemplates.com via Pollfish in May 2026. It polled 1,000 U.S. hiring managers responsible for entry-level hiring decisions at companies with 101 or more employees. The margin of error is approximately plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
| Metric | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Managers cutting 2026 grad hiring | 23% |
| Companies restructuring to AI + senior worker | 45% |
| Managers shifting entry-level budget to AI | 55% |
| Managers citing character concerns | 69% |
| Managers citing lack of work experience | 45% |
| Managers noting grads need help reading documents | 76% |
| Managers noting grads cannot write professional emails | 41% |
| Managers fully trusting grads with customers | 17% |
How will universities adjust their curricula to address the specific skill gaps in reading comprehension and business writing identified by hiring managers?
What long-term impact will the reduction in entry-level hiring have on the pipeline of senior talent over the next decade?
Will the shift toward AI and senior workers trigger labor regulations or union pushback regarding the displacement of early-career roles?
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