Class of '11 will see slightly better jobs outlook

Washington (CNN) -- College graduates next May will face better job prospects than students last year as large corporations end hiring freezes, small businesses reshape the economy and employers become more confident they can safely expand, according to a report on national hiring practices by researchers at Michigan State University.

The Recruiting Trends 2010-2011 survey, released November 17, found that overall hiring is expected to grow by 3 percent over last year to provide 122,000 opportunities for graduates across all degree levels.

In fact, nearly 72 percent of those positions could be filled at the bachelor's degree level alone, as the entire college labor market is leveraged by an expected 10 percent increase in the hiring of those degree holders, the survey of 4,600 employers says.

"The market for new college grads took a positive step forward with this increase," said Phil Gardner, director of the university's Collegiate Employment Research Institute.  But before letting the good news sink in, he warned students to remain vigilant, as the "jump is superficial and does not run deep." The reason: It's not the majority of employers hiring more, but rather a contingent of approximately 350 to 400 larger companies looking to fill positions and smaller, fast-growing businesses creating new ones. Thirty-two percent of respondents acknowledged definitive plans to hire graduates, representing a mild improvement over 27 percent last year, but 13 percent said they wouldn't.  "There is so much uncertainty pervasive in the economy that employers are cautious to hire," Gardner said. "Much of the hiring activity has already taken place. Students who are just starting their job search are really going to have to work hard."  Wayne Wallace, director of the University of Florida's Career Resource Center, agreed and said it's up to the students to land job offers.

"The job market is buyer-driven these days," he said. "Students need to be well-prepared and sincere in their job search efforts."

The hiring increase for bachelor's degree-level graduates can be attributed to increases from professional and scientific services, manufacturing, the federal government and large commercial banks, the report says. In contrast, interest in graduates with associate, master's and professional degrees like medical, law or veterinary is expected to fall, with the exception of Ph.D.- and MBA-level students.  The report said that midsize companies with between 500 and 3,999 staffers may continue slashing positions, but larger ones plan to focus their hiring at the bachelor's degree level. Fast-growth companies with between nine and 100 employees could boost their workforce by as much as 19 percent.  Illustrating that gaining professional experience before graduation is the ultimate pipeline toward full-time employment, 60 percent of respondents said they'll hire interns next year.  Wallace said that students typically begin pursuing internships in their second and third years and that they can be particularly useful, "depending upon the employer track record for full-time job conversations and what a graduate expects from the opportunity."  He added that on-campus interviewing appears to have improved over a "low point" last year, but that students should carefully weigh and be realistic about the logistics of any offer: hours, location, salary and overall expectations.

In more good news for students, the report found little difference between the number of graduates hired from four-year public institutions versus their private counterparts. Also, 36 percent of respondents said they won't necessarily limit positions to certain majors -- an all-time-high.  Gardner, the university employment institute director, said some companies are taking a "just give me your best" approach, rather than weeding out qualified applicants who may not have graduated with a certain major.  "Employers need the best talent they can find -- that means skills and abilities that combine to fit the organization," he said. "Major is not an important determinant in this equation." Graduates with bachelor's degrees in business, computer science and information technology have a better shot at employment than those with degrees in publishing, nursing, social services and health sciences, the report notes.  A study released November 18 by the National Association of Colleges and Employers came to a similar conclusion.

The Job Outlook 2011 survey, an annual forecast of employer recruiting intentions, found that 62 percent of 172 respondents plan to hire graduates with bachelor's degrees in accounting, followed closely by finance, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and business administration and management.  But students who opted for other majors needn't worry: Wallace said employers consider strong communications skills, leadership qualities and teamwork history, too, when deciding whom to hire.


Andrew Katz, CNN
November 24, 2010

5 Great Tips for the Long Term Unemployed to help get a Great Job!

By: Roger Lear

The recession of the last two years has meant many insurance professionals have been laid off. Many people have been out of work for more than 6 months to over 2 years. While some received severance packages and all had extended unemployment benefits, getting the "next" job has been a challenge for many reasons leaving them without jobs.

GreatInsururanceJobs.com talked with many insurance employers and asked them how they would treat a resume of a long term unemployed applicant for an open job if they have resumes from others who are currently working. Almost all employers indicated that they would take each situation on a case by case basis. Most showed compassion for the unemployed and all indicated that in the end, they are trying to fill the position with the best possible candidate.

Complicating matters for many of the long term unemployed, they are applying to jobs that are well below their last job's salary and skill sets (Unemployed are willing to do anything to support their family). This is complicating the hiring process for companies because they fear if they hire someone below the salary level they had before they were laid off, they will leave when the economy rebounds. All employers when asked this question said they would still have to examine this on a case by case basis.

It is tough to find that next job if you have been out of work for a long time, but not impossible so please keep trying if you are out of work. We have assembled five tips based on what we have heard from employers as well as things anyone who has been out of work for more than six months and struggling to find a job should consider during their search.

1. Apply to jobs that are very close to your background. While this may sound obvious, many of you are applying to jobs that either you are not qualified for or over qualified. With employers getting an average of 150 resumes per posted jobs, unless your resume is clear and a match, you most likely will not hear a peep from the company (make sure your resume has keywords from the job ad to catch employers attention). Make sure your objective (on your resume) matches the job you are applying to as long as you have the experience. For example, if you were a commercial account manager at an insurance agency and you are applying for customer service representative position at an agency, make sure the objective at the top of your resume say "Commercial Customer Service Representative (CSR)". The reason to be so clear is not to make sure the person reviewing your resume is very clear that you have the correct skill sets.

2. Do not lie on your resume. This is the kiss of death. Employers can accept the fact that you have been out of work for over a year but will never hire you if they found out you have changed your employment dates. After a major recession, employers really do understand that very good people have been unemployed and they will consider you if you have the skill set for the job.

3. Be able to explain to an employer what you did during your lay off. Employers want to see if you volunteered, worked part time or took some classes. Employers are taking everything on a case by case basis so you better be prepared to tell them about your job search and your activities.

4. BE POSITIVE and don't be defensive about unemployment. You are going through a very difficult time and this may be the hardest thing to understand. Employers have compassion and really do understand that these are very hard times for you. Don't shoot yourself in the foot telling them your horror stories.

5. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. Sending one hundred resumes a week via your computer is not a job search in tough times. You must have a plan to meet with people in the numerous network meetings that take place in your city. Check the local chamber websites, Meetup.com and LinkedIn and Facebook company pages for jobs and events. Once at the event, when you introduce yourself, let them know what you do and that you are in career transition.

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See Roger Lear, co-founder of GreatInsuranceJobs.com and OrlandoJobs.com, in action in a FOX exclusive interview talking about the top strategies for the long term unemployed. Click to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtTmqnnDQqU