> **来源：[研报客](https://pc.yanbaoke.cn)** # SPRING 2026 JOB OUTLOOK SUMMARY ## Core Content The **Spring 2026 Job Outlook** report provides insights into hiring trends for the Class of 2026, with a focus on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on recruitment and the skills employers value in graduates. ## Main Findings ### **Employer Hiring Projections** - **5.6% increase** in hiring for the Class of 2026 compared to previous projections. - **Top 5 industries increasing hiring**: - Information - Engineering Services - Wholesale Trade - Construction - Miscellaneous Professional Services - **Top 5 industries decreasing hiring**: - Utilities - Computer + Electronics Manufacturing - Miscellaneous Manufacturing - Food + Beverage Manufacturing - Chemical (Pharmaceutical) Manufacturing ### **AI Impact on Hiring** - **Demand for AI skills** in entry-level jobs has **more than doubled** in the last 6 months. - **Only 11%** of employers are discussing the elimination of positions due to AI. - **44%** of employers have detected **AI-generated job applications**. - **Just 20%** of employers use **AI detection tools** in the recruitment process. ### **Employer Perceptions of AI Skills** - **35%** of entry-level job descriptions include AI skills. - **16.5%** of employers consider AI skills important in the hiring process. - **AI skills proficiency** among graduates is **low**, with only **25.3%** of employers rating graduates as "very proficient" or "extremely proficient" in AI skills. ### **Career Readiness Skills** - Employers value **communication, teamwork, and critical thinking** as the top skills for college graduates. - **AI skills** are the lowest in terms of importance and proficiency. - **Importance vs. Proficiency**: - Communication: 98.7% important, 55.4% proficient - Teamwork: 96.1% important, 75.0% proficient - Professionalism: 94.1% important, 54.7% proficient - Critical Thinking: 93.5% important, 50.0% proficient - Technology: 75.2% important, 65.5% proficient - Career + Self-development: 48.7% important, 37.2% proficient - Leadership: 41.8% important, 31.1% proficient ### **Employer Preparedness for AI** - **69.1%** of employers believe graduates are **somewhat prepared** to use AI in the workplace. - **18.1%** of employers believe graduates are **very prepared**. - **12.1%** of employers believe graduates are **somewhat unprepared**. ### **Recruiting Activities** - **62.1%** of employers plan to maintain the same amount of on-campus recruiting. - **19.6%** plan to reduce on-campus recruiting. - **11.1%** plan to increase on-campus recruiting. - **7.2%** have other plans. - **24.7%** of employers have replaced on-campus recruiting with **virtual activities**. - **43.1%** will hire **more** in the fall. - **41.2%** will hire the **same number**. - **13.7%** will hire **fewer**. - **2.0%** are not hiring during the **2026-27** recruiting year. ## Key Information ### **Industry Distribution** - **Construction** and **Miscellaneous Manufacturing** are the most represented industries in the survey. - **Great Lakes** region has the **highest representation** (30.8%). ### **Organization Size and Type** - **More than 20,000 employees** organizations have the **highest representation** (23.2%). - **For profit - private** and **For profit - publicly held** organizations dominate the survey (45.9% each). ### **Survey Methodology** - Conducted from **February 12 – March 17, 2026**. - **185 total respondents**, including **142 NACE employer members** and **43 nonmember companies**. - Data is based on the **number of respondents** to each question, and totals may not equal 100% due to rounding. ## Summary The Spring 2026 Job Outlook highlights a **moderate increase** in hiring for the Class of 2026, with **Information, Engineering Services, Wholesale Trade, Construction, and Miscellaneous Professional Services** leading the way. AI is increasingly being discussed in hiring contexts, but its impact on **position elimination** remains limited. Employers emphasize **teamwork, communication, and critical thinking** as essential skills for graduates, while **AI skills** are less prioritized and less proficient. On-campus recruiting plans are largely unchanged, with a **significant shift** towards **virtual activities**. The survey reflects a diverse range of industries and organizations, providing a comprehensive view of hiring trends and employer expectations.