The landscape for freshers seeking entry-level jobs is changing fast. Small and mid-sized firms are no longer satisfied with just basic qualifications; they’re looking for candidates who arrive “pre-packaged” with relevant skills especially in AI, prompt engineering, and industry tools often not taught in standard curricula. Students are feeling the pressure to build portfolios, do projects, and learn emerging technologies on their own.

Even though bigger companies may pull back from large fresher hiring programs, agile firms are doubling down. They see value in freshers who can adapt quickly, pivot roles, and bring fresh thinking at lower costs. The expectation now includes soft skills like adaptability, communication, analytical mindsets plus technical know-how. There’s also growing use of apprenticeships, internships, online certifications and industry-academia collaboration to narrow the gap between what the classroom delivers and what the workplace demands.

But challenges remain: many graduates feel under-prepared, lacking exposure to applied learning. Colleges struggle to keep pace with fast-evolving technologies. For those entering the workforce, the advice is clear: take initiative, build demonstrable skills, take up projects, and go beyond the degree. In short, entry-level roles are no longer ‘just starting points’ they’re proving grounds.