The job market isn’t making it easy for today’s college graduates. According toBarron’s, new grads are entering a workforce filled with contradictions: employers complain of talent shortages, yet job seekers struggle to land roles. Many entry-level positions now demand years of experience, and job offers—when they do arrive—often come with stagnant pay, limited benefits, and unclear career paths.

Yet amid this uncertainty lies a powerful truth: the early years of your career don’t define your future—they help shape it. You can still build a fulfilling, purpose-driven life by playing the long game and making smart, intentional moves now.

“We have many possible ‘career selves’ inside us,” says leadership expert Herminia Ibarra. “It’s much more effective to start with a long and usually divergent list of possibilities that you can explore and learn more about.” This is the time to experiment, explore, and build momentum—not to panic.

Here’s how to start building a career you’ll be proud of—no matter what the headlines say.

1. Don’t Wait for the “Perfect Job”—Start Building Skills

If you’re not landing your dream role right out of school, that’s okay. Your first job doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be a launchpad. Look for roles that teach you transferable skills like communication, collaboration, project management, or data analysis. These are assets you can take anywhere.

A2023 LinkedIn report found that the most in-demand skills include problem-solving, adaptability, and digital literacy—not job titles.

Action Step: Use free or low-cost platforms likeCoursera,LinkedIn Learning, andedX to start mastering high-demand skills. Set a goal to complete one course per month.

2. Build a Career Portfolio—Not Just a Resume

In a world where career paths are non-linear, what matters most is what you can do—not just where you’ve worked. Building a portfolio of projects, freelance work, volunteer experience, and side hustles can show future employers what you’re capable of.

Action Step: Start documenting your work usingNotion,Clarity, or even a personal website usingWix orCarrd. Highlight real results: campaigns you ran, tools you mastered, or problems you solved.

3. Connect With People—Not Just Job Boards

More than 70% of jobs are never posted publicly—they’re filled through referrals and networks. Especially in a tight market, who you know (and who knows you) matters. Don’t just scroll LinkedIn—use it to engage.

Action Step: Schedule one virtual coffee chat per week. Use platforms likeLunchclub orShapr to meet professionals in your field of interest. Ask thoughtful questions and focus on learning—not just job hunting.

4. Work Backwards From the Life You Want

It’s easy to chase a job offer and forget to ask: Is this leading me where I want to go? At Age Brilliantly, we encourage building a lifetime portfolio—a vision of what your life looks like across decades, not just the next promotion.

Take a step back. What values matter most to you? What kind of impact do you want to make? Who do you want to become? Career is just one part of that bigger vision.

Action Step: Try usingIkigai tools to find overlap between what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Journal about your long-term lifestyle goals, not just your next job.

5. Reframe Rejection as Data

The truth is: rejection is part of the process—and it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It means you’re testing boundaries, refining your pitch, and learning from real-world experience. Every “no” is a step closer to the right “yes.”

Action Step: Keep a “rejection tracker.” Tools likeHuntr orTeal help organize applications and track feedback. Reflect on what you can learn from each experience.

6. Find a Mentor—or Be One

Mentorship is a powerful tool for growth—and it works both ways. Whether you’re being mentored by a seasoned professional or guiding a peer just behind you, sharing insight accelerates learning. AForbes article highlights how mentorship builds confidence, sharpens focus, and opens doors.

Action Step: Join communities likeAge Brilliantly’s Exchange,ADPList, or alumni networks to connect with mentors. Ask questions like: What do you wish you’d done differently after graduation?

7. Measure Success Differently

Success isn’t a job title or a paycheck. It’s building a life that feels right to you. One where your career aligns with your values, your relationships are strong, your health is prioritized, and your time is used meaningfully.

“The goal is to compound what you’ve learned and the contacts you have to get closer and closer to the most interesting issues and relationships that fill you with passion and purpose.”

It’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out yet. What matters is that you keep moving forward—with curiosity, intention, and courage.

What step are you taking to shape your next chapter—and what advice would you offer someone just starting out? Share your ideas and connect with others on a similar journey in the Age Brilliantly forum: https://agebrilliantly.org/forum/