I spent months waiting for the perfect job after college. It's one of my biggest regrets.

By Aditi Shrikant

Plus: how to stop "doomjobbing" while you're looking for work

Here's how MarketWatch's Aditi Shrikant wishes she spent her summer vacation after she graduated college.

Welcome back to Don't Short Yourself, where we offer tips for growing your wealth and spending your money wisely.

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This week we're shining a spotlight on service-industry jobs - opportunities that can help you earn money, build experience and develop marketable skills, especially if you haven't landed an internship or entry-level role.

When I first graduated, I moved back in with my parents and sulked around because I was unemployed and without an internship lined up. Looking back, I wish I'd spent that time working.

Retail and restaurant jobs wouldn't have magically launched my career. But they would have put money in my pocket, added experience to my résumé and helped me build skills employers value.

Here's why service-industry work deserves a second look from new graduates.

- Aditi Shrikant

Big money idea of the week: The smartest first job might not be your dream job

I didn't want to work a service job after graduating because it felt like moving backward. All of my friends who seemed proactive about their careers already had jobs or internships in their preferred fields. At that point in my life, working at a restaurant felt like admitting that I didn't have my life together.

Moving to New York City was not my plan (I had no plan), but it was the place where I got a paid internship - making $8.75 an hour. I lived in the basement of a distant aunt I'd never met, and the commute from Jamaica, Queens was over an hour. It was pretty miserable - but I wasn't about to complain about free housing. And while there were a cornucopia of factors that contributed to my unhappiness, money (or lack thereof) was definitely one of the biggest ones. Earning $1,500 a month and trying to save up to move out was challenging.

Looking back, moving to one of the most expensive cities in America may not have been the savviest financial decision. But it did force me to rethink something else: my attitude toward service work.

I met smart, ambitious, creative college grads who were waiting tables and taking on other jobs while pursuing internships, creative careers and graduate degrees. They weren't embarrassed by it. It made me painfully aware of just how snobbish and short-sighted my perspective was. I was judging myself more harshly than anyone else was, and it cost me income and experience, as well as skills that money alone can't buy.

My fear of being judged during that time didn't protect me - it held me back. Instead of earning a couple of thousand dollars to kickstart the next chapter of my life, I spent months worrying about what taking a service job might say about me.

New grads are entering a labor market right now that "isn't the worst, but also isn't the best," according to Ryan Nunn, the director of research for the Yale University Budget Lab. The unemployment rate for recent college graduates (ages 22 to 27) during the first three months of 2026 was 5.6%, according to data from the New York Federal Reserve, which was higher than the rate for all workers with college degrees (3.1%) and higher than the average rate for all workers (4.2%).

The longer you stay unemployed, the harder it is to find work. "The hiring rate for unemployed workers has declined somewhat," Nunn says. "It has weakened in recent years. That weakening is a problem for folks at the margins, including those who are trying to start their careers."

So if you're stuck, consider picking up shifts at a local bar, restaurant, hotel or retailer in the meantime to put money in your pocket and avoid gaps in your resume.

Why taking any job (and not waiting for the 'right one') can pay off

- Progress beats standing still. A job won't replace a career launch, but it can keep money flowing, build experience and prevent months from slipping by while you wait for the perfect opportunity. The retail industry employs about 15.5 million people, and restaurants about 12.4 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meaning that there are tons of job opportunities.

- People skills matter. "Service jobs can help build skills that translate to almost any career. When interviewing, don't just say you waited tables. Explain how managing customers, solving problems and working with a team make you an ideal job candidate," says Jeff Strohl, the director of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.

- AI resistance. Employers increasingly value human interpersonal skills because artificial intelligence can automate more technical and administrative tasks. Hiring managers are placing greater emphasis on communication, conflict resolution and adaptability. In a 2025 survey 60% of employers said having strong "soft" skills is more important today than it was five years ago.

One key point: Don't sell yourself short by underselling what you accomplished. For years, I thought service work would make me look less employable. In reality, many of the skills employers want are built on the job.

More job reads

- One way to get hired right now: Be willing to go to the office five days a week.

- These five AI-proof jobs are still hiring while tech is cutting back. Here's how much they pay and how to get them.

- Make yourself a master salary negotiator at your next job interview by role-playing with these AI prompts.

- Here are the fastest-growing jobs for new college graduates in this low-hire market - plus how to stand out among other applicants.

- The under-the-radar cities where new college grads can get good jobs - and even afford to buy a house.

Definition of the week: Doomjobbing

"Doomjobbing" is the cycle of endlessly applying for employment postings, refreshing LinkedIn and scrolling job boards without making meaningful progress toward meaningful employment.

The term plays off "doomscrolling," or consuming a steady stream of bad news online, and describes the frustration many recent graduates and job seekers feel in a labor market that has been particularly tough on young eligible workers.

The danger isn't just emotional. The longer someone stays unemployed, the harder it can be to re-enter the workforce. That's why career experts often recommend focusing on momentum over perfection. A temporary job, part-time work, freelance assignments or an internship can help you earn money and expand your network while you continue to scout for your forever career.

One key move to make now: If you've applied for dozens of jobs without success, then set a goal that isn't tied to landing an offer. Reach out to three people in your network, attend one industry event, update your résumé or apply for a part-time role that keeps you learning and earning.

Looking back, I probably spent my fair share of that summer doomjobbing before doomjobbing had a name.

Key money reads

- Now you need $20,000 in an emergency savings fund. Yes, really.

- Daily necessities are so expensive now that people are using BNPL for gas and groceries. Here's what you should know before you try it.

- Reducing your 401(k) contribution to save money, even for a short period, puts you on a slippery slope. Take these less risky steps instead.

- Here's what's on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and other streaming platforms in June, and which streamers are worth the subscription price this month.

Share your favorite money tip

Send us your favorite way to save money - or make your money work for you - and we'll share it with our readers. Send it to dontshortyourself@marketwatch.com.

-Aditi Shrikant

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06-02-26 0948ET