After two years its own researchers describe as lacklustre for new graduates, the outlook has improved. According to the spring update of NACE's Job Outlook 2026 (National Association of Colleges and Employers, April 2026), US employers expect to hire 5.6% more new graduates from the Class of 2026.
That's a real change of mood. In the autumn, only about a quarter of employers planned to hire more graduates. By spring, more than a third did.
The growth isn't spread evenly:
- Big employers lead. Organisations with more than 5,000 staff plan to increase graduate hiring by 8.7%.
- Some sectors more than others: information, engineering services, wholesale trade, construction and professional services.
- Why they're hiring: company growth and succession planning.
The survey covers US employers (185 responded), so it isn't a forecast for every country. But large employers often move first, and the same pattern tends to show up elsewhere.
What it means for you: larger organisations with graduate schemes are a good place to focus, and they receive many applications. A CV tailored to each scheme, written in the employer's own language, stands out.
A CV that gets you the interview.
Build it in minutes, tailor it to the job, and see how well it matches, before you apply.
Build my CV for free