May 4, 2025
Salary Shock For Gen Z Graduates: What To Expect In Entry Level Pay

"Are candidates realistic? What are their salary expectations? Are they flexible? Are they turning down jobs being offered to them?" asks Susan Levine, CEO of Career Group Companies. “While the hiring process is taking longer now, that alone wouldn’t explain why it might take several months for a candidate to secure a role.”
Susan Levine spoke with Forbes to offer insight into how recent graduates are navigating the job market — and how expectations may need to evolve.
Susan discusses the growing disconnect between Gen Z’s salary expectations and current hiring realities, encouraging early-career candidates to approach the job search with flexibility and a long-term mindset.