6 entry-level job search tips no one tells you (but should)

If you're a recent grad feeling exhausted by the job market, you're not alone. Glassdoor recently hosted an "Ask a Recruiter Live" episode with Jade Walters, Gen Z Career Strategist and founder of The Ninth Semester, to tackle the challenges facing entry-level candidates. She shared honest, actionable strategies to help you move your search forward without burning out.

We've pulled out the six biggest takeaways below, but watch the full episode for even more answers to your toughest job search questions.

1. Stop the spray-and-pray approach

Eighty-four percent of job seekers send out as many as 35 applications per week. Some cross 1,200 monthly. But Walters noted that's exhausting and ineffective. "Before you start applying for things, before you start working on your resume, you need to be very clear and intentional about what you're looking for."

The Fix: Get granular about your target. Don't just say "marketing"— identify your niche. One candidate Walters worked with realized she wanted to specialize in influencer marketing within the lifestyle and beauty space. This focus means fewer applications, but significantly higher-quality conversations.

2. Decode what "entry-level" actually means right now

Companies label roles as "entry-level" but require 3–5 years of experience. Walters explained, "Entry-level jobs are just kind of a new way to refer to junior-level jobs... It's confusing for new grads who are trying to get their start, because they're applying for things that say they’re for them, but then they're being told that they don't have enough experience."

The Fix: Understand that many "entry-level" postings are actually targeting junior-level candidates. Adjust your expectations and don't get discouraged by rejections — it may just mean you haven't hit their hidden threshold yet.

3. Develop a clear point of view about who you are as a candidate

Before tailoring anything, drill down on your unique value proposition. Walter’s advice: "Once you've identified your unique point of view, you're now able to curate your interview stories accordingly to highlight that experience. You're able to curate your applications, such as your resume and your LinkedIn, to curate this point of view of who you are as a candidate."

The Fix: Write down your niche: what makes you different? Once you have clarity, your resume gets focus, your stories become cohesive, and you stop wasting time on roles that don't fit.

4. Build the experience you don't have yet

You can't change the past, but you can create the future. If job descriptions ask for skills you lack, take courses on Skillshare, Coursera, or YouTube, then turn those into portfolio projects. Walters did exactly this: "When I started my career, a lot of my work experience that I highlighted in my portfolio was things that I did on my own, whether it was for freelancing or mock-up marketing campaigns for brands that I loved."

The Fix: Create mock-up campaigns, freelance projects, or passion projects that prove you understand your industry's work. Your portfolio doesn't need paid employment — self-directed work absolutely counts.

5. Consider smaller markets and relocation

The pressure to land a job in a major city right away is paralyzing but often unnecessary. Walters encourages candidates to think bigger picture: "Maybe you might just need to try one year where you're in a completely different state, but it's the role that you want... You can use the experience and the networking connections you have in this new role to help you grow."

The Fix: Smaller markets often have higher job availability, competitive pay, and a lower cost of living. Many companies even pay for relocation. One or two years away from your dream city isn't forever. It's a stepping stone.

Related: Glassdoor & Redfin 2026 report: The best U.S. cities to launch your career

6. Protect your mental health from day one

Job search burnout is real and shows up in your applications. "Set those boundaries, because if you keep chugging through, and you're feeling burnt out... you're just gonna keep hitting this wall," said Walters. Set firm limits: no applications after 5 p.m., nothing on weekends. Equally important? Connect with people outside the job search. "Your job status is not a definition of your self-worth."

The Fix: Establish boundaries before you need them. Set "hard non-negotiables" for roles you won't apply to. And remember: the people who love you aren't judging your job status — lean on them.

Watch the full "Ask a Recruiter Live" episode with Jade Walters for more career advice.