Employers Are Hiring Recent Grads and Then Saying “Oops, Never Mind”

Recent graduates are facing a harsh reality as employers, overwhelmed by AI-generated resumes and desperate tactics, are rescinding job offers and ghosting applicants, according to a June 2026 report by Resume Builder. A survey of 1,000 jobseekers aged 20 to 28 revealed that 34 percent received rescinded job offers after accepting them, with 13 percent experiencing this more than once.

Moreover, 68 percent were ghosted after interviews, and 65 percent believed AI contributed to the decline of entry-level positions in their fields. Resume Builder's chief career adviser, Stacie Haller, stated that the situation is "totally out of control" due to the "spray and pray" approach of applicants flooding employers with hundreds of AI-generated resumes.

Haller also noted that many companies, which overhired during the pandemic, may not fully understand their current staffing needs, while recruiters use faulty AI tools to screen candidates and conduct interviews. The report highlighted internal Google documents showing the AI systems incorrectly dismissing qualified candidates. Job seekers are adapting by tailoring their resumes to appease AI tools, resulting in a vicious cycle of AI warfare on all sides.

Despite the challenges, Haller emphasized that employers should maintain basic decency and avoid withdrawing offers without explanation, as it can be particularly discouraging for new graduates.