College Job Market Somewhat Brighter, Still Challenging

It's a classic "good news/bad news" situation. If you are graduating with a bachelor's degree this spring, job prospects are looking better - but that does not mean the job search will be easy. The job market is highly competitive, and will stay that way. For those with an associate's degree, master's or professional degree, hiring is still on a slight decline, according to research done by Michigan State University.

The report "Recruiting Trends 2010-2011" is published by MSU's Career Services and Collegiate Employment Research Institute (CERI). The annual study is headed up by Phil Gardner, Director of Research for CERI. This report is rich with information and ought to be required reading for any new college student, with its sections on hiring by industry sector and academic major, recruiting strategies, starting salaries, global hiring and more.

According to the study, some large companies are finally filling positions that have been left open for several years. Small, fast-growth companies are poised to hire as well, but it takes more effort to find these companies since they're not typically on the media radar. Graduates will have to dig to find these employers, but it will be worth it. The MBA job market remains tight as some companies increase hiring and others cut back.

Regardless of major, employers are seeking the best talent they can find. Their emphasis is on skills and abilities, and they are looking to hire well-trained students who can be assigned a specific task.

There are some positive changes in bachelor's degree hiring in most regions of the U.S. The Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic states are up 10% or more over last year, with the South Central region only a step behind at an 8% increase. On the other hand, the Northwest is seeing a 10% decrease in college grad hiring.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) also conducts surveys throughout the year to gauge college hiring and recruiting activity. Their December 2010 poll found that almost half the employers plan to increase the number of college graduates they hire. An October 2010 NACE survey reported that "Graduates with bachelor's degrees in accounting, business, computer science, engineering, and the social sciences were most likely to have job offers by graduation. In comparison, new graduates with degrees in English, foreign language, and education fared worse; less than 30% of respondents in these fields had job offers by time of graduation." Overall, majors are secondary to students' being able to answer the question, "What do you want to DO after graduation?" Students who have identified career goals and chosen majors that prepare them for those careers are the most successful in the job market.

How to Stand Out from the Crowd
What makes you a graduate who catches the attention of a recruiter? Remember, recruiters need to hire, and they look for students who have demonstrated a sense of purpose and career direction, as well as leadership. They want to discover new talent to bring on board, young professionals eager to learn quickly, work hard, and make their contribution.

Here are Career Vision's top 10 suggestions for 2010 college grads:

1.	The jobs - especially the prime ones - will go to the grads who demonstrate initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit. In a competitive job market there is no room for passivity. Those who started early, in the fall, are in the best position to have a job offer by graduation. So, 2012 grads: plan ahead!
2.	Jobs are found when grads know what they are looking for, and can articulate that goal concisely to others. Describe what you want to do and how you can make a contribution to an employer. Define where you want to work geographically, and after doing research, create a list of 15 target companies that could possibly hire you. Then go after your goal. If you have not developed this information, work with a career professional or job search coach to help define your target. It is vital.
3.	Learn how to network strategically - it's a critical career survival skill. Meet people in your career and industry.
4.	The coursework you have completed is a given; emphasize your applied skills and unique experience.
5.	Every communication - resume, cover letters, emails, handwritten thank you cards - must be well-written and not cliché.
6.	Follow up with people in a professional manner.
7.	Volunteer for an organization you would like to work for.
8.	Join the professional organization related to your career. Becoming active in local chapter activities makes it easy to meet others in your field.
9.	Be an active member in your college's alumni association; again, an easy way to meet others and make connections.
10.	Seek out the community career centers and job search groups in your area. The people you meet at these groups will typically be your parents' age, but you can learn a lot from them. Take a job search workshop to learn the most effective methods of finding the hidden job market.

Going into spring of 2011, Gardner's advice for students remains the same: Be focused, directed and connected. And we agree.

Related articles:
Wanted: Focused, Directed and Connected College Grads
The First Professional Challenge for College Grads Is Finding a Job
The High Touch, High Tech Way to Get Hired
3 Essentials for Successful Networking
Working for the Federal Government
The Employment Outlook Crystal Ball for 2011
Is Graduate School Right for Me?

© Copyright 2011, Career Vision. Article may be reprinted with permission.

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