1 in 5 graduates apply for more than 100 jobs
More students and graduates are making high-volume job applications as they fear AI’s impact on job opportunities and hiring outcomes.
Credit:andresr
8 June 2026
As young jobseekers face growing pressure in the entry-level labour market, new findings in Prospects at Jisc's Early Careers Survey of 5,000 students and graduates found that many are applying for as many jobs as possible to improve their chances of securing a role. Men were more likely to take this approach (33%) compared with women (26%).While the proportion of jobseekers taking a targeted approach – applying for fewer than 20 roles – dropped, high-volume applications nearly doubled year on year. Respondents submitting more than 100 applications rose from 8% to 13%.Recent graduates appeared to face the greatest pressure, with 20% reporting that they had applied for more than 100 jobs – a higher proportion than any other group surveyed.Graduates were also the most likely to say that AI was threatening their career prospects and reducing the number of jobs available (44% compared with 35% overall). However, earlier findings and HESA’s Graduate Outcomes (published today) show the difficult labour market is more influenced by economic uncertainty than AI.Prospects Early Careers Survey also found that candidates submitting large numbers of applications were significantly more likely to use AI tools to write CVs and cover letters. Among those applying for between 101 and 200 roles, 66% used AI, compared with 40% of those submitting 20 applications or fewer.However, AI use dropped among respondents submitting more than 200 applications, falling to 48% and suggesting some candidates may instead be relying on auto-apply or quick-apply tools.The findings also suggest growing tension in the early careers market with candidates turning to AI to improve their chances of securing roles while feeling threatened about its impact on jobs and hiring outcomes.This year nearly three quarters (73%) of respondents reported that they had used AI at some point in the application process. However, a majority said it was unfair for employers to use AI across most stages of the recruitment process.Whilst 46% had used AI to write a CV or cover letter, only 38% thought that it was OK for AI to be used to screen the CV. Concerns were strongest around AI use in online interviews and virtual assessments. Qualification screening was the only area AI use was seen as broadly acceptable.
Growing concern about AI’s impact on future careers may be shaping candidate behaviour. Nearly half (44%) of respondents with a negative outlook on their future prospects said job automation influenced their views this year. Respondents with a pessimistic outlook were more likely to apply for as many roles as possible to improve their chances.Yet the research also suggests that confidence in AI skills and access to careers guidance can significantly improve how students and graduates view their future prospects.Only around half of university students said they felt they were developing the AI skills needed for their career. Almost half (47%) of respondents who lacked confidence in their AI skills believed the technology had reduced their opportunities, compared with 29% of those who felt confident using it.Furthermore, students who had received careers advice about AI were more than twice as likely to believe the technology would increase their job opportunities (27% compared with 12% of those who had not received guidance).Respondents identified networking, tailoring applications, researching employers and speaking to careers professionals and industry contacts as the most successful approaches to securing opportunities and interviews.The findings mirror wider industry trends, with the Institute of Student Employers reporting record levels of applications over the past two years.Chris Rea, early careers expert for Prospects at Jisc said: “Young people are responding to a tough job market by applying for more roles and increasingly turning to AI throughout the recruitment process.“At the same time, there appears to be a growing doom loop, where candidates are using AI to get ahead in their job hunt while also feeling threatened by its impact on their careers and their ability to get hired.“The findings show that digital confidence cannot be taken for granted, even among younger generations. Supporting students in the development of professional AI skills is critical to helping them remain optimistic as they navigate a rapidly changing labour market.”
Subscribe to Relocate Extra, our monthly newsletter, to get all the latest international assignments and global mobility news.Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.
Read related articles
Growing concern about AI’s impact on future careers may be shaping candidate behaviour. Nearly half (44%) of respondents with a negative outlook on their future prospects said job automation influenced their views this year. Respondents with a pessimistic outlook were more likely to apply for as many roles as possible to improve their chances.Yet the research also suggests that confidence in AI skills and access to careers guidance can significantly improve how students and graduates view their future prospects.Only around half of university students said they felt they were developing the AI skills needed for their career. Almost half (47%) of respondents who lacked confidence in their AI skills believed the technology had reduced their opportunities, compared with 29% of those who felt confident using it.Furthermore, students who had received careers advice about AI were more than twice as likely to believe the technology would increase their job opportunities (27% compared with 12% of those who had not received guidance).Respondents identified networking, tailoring applications, researching employers and speaking to careers professionals and industry contacts as the most successful approaches to securing opportunities and interviews.The findings mirror wider industry trends, with the Institute of Student Employers reporting record levels of applications over the past two years.Chris Rea, early careers expert for Prospects at Jisc said: “Young people are responding to a tough job market by applying for more roles and increasingly turning to AI throughout the recruitment process.“At the same time, there appears to be a growing doom loop, where candidates are using AI to get ahead in their job hunt while also feeling threatened by its impact on their careers and their ability to get hired.“The findings show that digital confidence cannot be taken for granted, even among younger generations. Supporting students in the development of professional AI skills is critical to helping them remain optimistic as they navigate a rapidly changing labour market.”
Prospects Early Careers Survey 2026
This is the fifth edition of the Early Careers Survey in its current form. Students and graduates were surveyed in January and February 2026 about their experiences over the previous 12 months, their current career-related activities, and their hopes and expectations for the future. Analysis is of 4,990 responses.About Prospects
Prospects has worked at the heart of higher education for more than 50 years. Part of Jisc Student Services, the directorate collaborates with government, universities and employers to improve student and graduate career outcomes through information, guidance and opportunities. It includes Prospects.ac.uk, which is visited by 1.8 million students and graduates each month, Prospects Luminate and the UK's official postgraduate course database. Jisc Student Services also manages Prospects Hedd degree verification and fraud services.Jisc: for the future of education and researchFor more than 30 years, we have pioneered digital solutions for UK education and research, transforming how knowledge is created, shared and applied.As a not-for-profit membership organisation, we deliver value to our members and customers in four key areas, so they can be pioneers too.We provide digital, data and technology solutions to meet sector-specific needs; we save our members money through sustainable shared services; we build communities for shared learning; and we offer intelligence on emerging trends to future-proof our members and customers.At our core is the world-class Janet Network, the UK's national research and education infrastructure. We provide secure, high-speed connectivity, along with cyber security and identity services, to 20 million users in universities, colleges, schools and research bodies throughout the UK.Together we’re building a better digital future for education and research.
Find out more about the Think Global People and Think Women community and events.
Subscribe to Relocate Extra, our monthly newsletter, to get all the latest international assignments and global mobility news.Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.
©2026 Re:locate magazine, published by Profile Locations, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Profile Locations. Profile Locations accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.
