Faculty and staff who may be working with students who will be seeking jobs or internships this year -- please pass along this information.
Employers expect to hire 13.1 percent more new college graduates in 2004-5 than they hired in 2003-4, according to a national survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). More than 61 percent of the employers responding to NACE's Job Outlook 2005 Fall Preview survey said they expect to hire more new college graduates this year than they did last year.
These employers said increased demand for goods and services and attrition among existing staff are fueling the need to hire more new college graduates. In addition, nearly 23 percent of employers responding to the survey said they plan to hold their college hiring at last year's levels, and will hire the same number of grads in 2004-5 as they did in 2003-4. However, 15.9 percent of employers participating in the survey reported that they plan to cut back, citing a poor economy and budget cuts as reasons for paring their college hiring.
Service-sector employers expect to hire 12.1 percent more new college graduates this year, and manufacturers plan a 12.9 percent increase in hiring -- particularly good news given that last year manufacturers projected just a 3.4 percent increase.
All regions of the country report a positive hiring outlook, with the Midwest leading the way. Employers in the Midwest expect a 26.4 percent increase in hiring for 2004-5 college graduates; employers in the Northeast and West regions both predict a 14.9 percent increase, and employers in the South expect to increase their number of college hires by 5.9 percent.
What This Means for the Job Search Today
Although the overall hiring projection is positive, it is important to remember that the job market is competitive. Here are some ways to increase a student's chances of landing the job she or he wants:
Start your job search now -- don't wait. Not sure how to get started? Visit the Career Services office, 1101 Gannett Center, and get expert advice and guidance on how to conduct an effective job search. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm with daily drop-in hours from noon to 3:00 pm.
Research employers and job opportunities. Research will help a candidate understand what the employer is looking for in its employees, and this will allow a student to "tweak" a resume and cover letter for each employer and job opportunity. It is also important to thoroughly research the employer before going for an interview -- this can set you apart from other candidates. Career Services has an assortment of materials available to help you research employers and their job openings. Information is available through eRecruiting, the online job and internship database, through mock interviews as well as through the Career Services web site.
Use all available resources. Career Services offers a variety of services that can help students in the job search. These include eRecruiting, the Passport to Your Future program, Career Day 2004, the ReferenceUSA employer database of 12 million US businesses, the biweekly Opportunity Knocks career bulletin, a resource library with more than 700 resources and nearly 1000 employer contacts, and much more.
Stay on top of what's going on in the job market. Check with Career Services throughout the year for updates on what's going on in the job market, which employers are visiting campus or participating in career fairs, and who is posting jobs with Ithaca College.
Career Services, 1101 Gannett Center, 274-3365.
Contributed by Tracey Cross-Baker
