Trying to land a job in the AI era is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly for people seeking entry-level and graduate roles.
These jobs are at their lowest level in a decade, making up just 11 per cent of all vacancies, Anglicare Australia’s annual jobs availability snapshot reveals.
Sectors most exposed are the ones that have historically absorbed school-leavers and new graduates in large numbers – retail and hospitality – with these roles slowly being replaced by self-service, automated inventory tools and dynamic scheduling. This has reduced the number of available cashier and counter shifts.
Recruiters warn this transformation of the workforce landscape could change how young people learn to work, build judgment, interact with the public and understand the importance of hustling.
Giants cut jobs
In recent months, AI has robbed the market of thousands of jobs as companies such as logistics software firm WiseTech, Amazon, and Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, announce mass lay-offs.
Tech company Atlassian also recently announced it would cut 500 jobs in Australia as part of a global decision to make 1600 redundancies. But experts warn this could be the tip of the iceberg.
Kris Grant, chief executive of recruitment and training firm ASPL Group, says lower value tasks within roles are being automated, meaning jobs are being redesigned.
Entry-level roles most at risk are those built around repetitive, process-driven tasks with clear rules and high volume. This could include data-entry, basic administration, customer support, scheduling, document formatting and some content protection.
AI tools are being implemented in areas where tasks are predictable, text-heavy and easy to standardise. This is leading to rising expectations for junior employees to contribute more analysis, judgment, communication and tech confidence from day one.
Grant is concerned that entry-level roles have historically been where people learn the foundations of work – how to communicate well, manage priorities, understand workplace dynamics and build judgment over time.
“If too much of that early-stage work disappears, we risk making it harder for people to get a start,” Grant says. She urges employers to rethink how they hire, train and develop talent.
“The biggest risk is not AI alone. It is that organisations expect entry-level candidates to arrive fully formed, while removing the very roles that used to help them build those skills,” she says.
The jobs of the future will be where human judgment, communication, adaptability and trust still matter, Grant says.
That includes care and health-related fields, education and training, skilled trades, relationship-based service roles, leadership and coaching, change management, digital and cyber roles, data and AI oversight and jobs that involve navigating complexity, she says.
The strongest opportunities will be with people who can combine digital fluency with very human skills.
“We are also likely to see growth in hybrid roles – positions where people use AI to work faster or better, but still need to interpret context, make decisions, build relationships and handle nuance,” Grant says.
Standing out
Career coaches say graduates will need to demonstrate strong people skills such as teamwork, relationship-building and dealing with conflict.
Instead of applying with the masses to advertised roles, identify key people and businesses and try approaching them directly to explore potential opportunities. While this approach won’t always work, you can get lucky with timing and score a role that hasn’t been advertised, says Leah Lambert, career and interview coach.
“Bear in mind that many large corporate graduate programs can receive up to 10,000 applicants vying for just 20 roles,” Lambert says.
She urged graduates to develop a compelling personal brand profile online to bolster the chance of being invited for an interview.
“If it’s difficult to gain an entry-level role, think of ways to build your resumé by doing freelance or temporary work, strategic volunteering or through a side-hustle or personal project,” Lambert says.
Get workplace news, advice and perspectives to help make your job work for you. Sign up for our weekly Thank God it’s Monday newsletter.
