As graduation nears and the economy remains in shambles, college graduates are faced with one of the most competitive job markets in years. Although employers are proceeding with caution, many of them are still hiring.
Forty-three percent of employers plan to hire recent college graduates in 2009, down from 56 percent in 2008, according to CareerBuilder’s Annual College Job Forecast. The survey was conducted among 2,543 hiring managers and human-resource professionals from Feb. 20 to March 11, 2009.
“While recent college graduates are facing a highly competitive job market right now, there are still opportunities out there,” said Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America.“The biggest challenge is showing relevant experience, which employers say is one of the most important factors they look for in applications from recent college graduates. This isn’t limited to professional work experience, so don’t get discouraged. Class work, school activities and volunteering also qualify as relevant experience and can be included in your résumé as well.”
What are employers looking for?
Obviously, certain job requirements like education, technical skills and years of experience will vary from one employer to the next. When we asked 25 companies that are hiring new graduates this year what they look for in a candidate, the following qualities were cited numerous times:
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· Possess entrepreneurial spirit
· Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
· Proven track record of success
· Strong work ethic
· Demonstrated leadership
· Competitive attitude
· Goal-oriented and results-driven
· Internship experience in related fields
· Must thrive in a team environment and work well with others
· Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
· Strong educational background
If you’re a recent college graduate looking for work, here are 25 companies that are hiring recent college graduates this year*:
1. Allstate
Industry: Insurance
Estimated new graduate hires: 800
Open positions: Claims adjuster trainees; financial analysts; investment analysts; actuarial assistants; application developers (IT); business analysts (IT)
2. Arcadis
Industry: Engineering
Estimated new graduate hires: 30-40
Open positions: Geologists; environmental scientists; engineers (civil, geological, geotechnical and transportation)
3. Cbeyond
Industry: Technology
Estimated new graduate hires: 250
Open positions: Sales associates
4. Dish Network
Industry: Television entertainment provider
Estimated new graduate hires: 40-70
Open positions: Various
5. Geico
Industry: Insurance and financial services
Estimated new graduate hires: 300
Open positions: Business operations and IT management; supervisory leadership programs; management trainees; liability claims representatives; auto damage trainees; sales and service representatives; actuarial assistants; analysts; IT programmers; Web developers; systems analysts
6. GMAC
Industry: Finance and banking
Estimated new graduate hires: 40-50 graduates to start in 2010 (recruiting on campuses in fall 2009)
Open positions: Finance; risk; treasury; audit and IT jobs
7. Harris Corp.
Industry: Communications and information technology
Estimated new graduate hires: 170
Open positions: Engineering (software, mechanical, electrical, network); geospatial analysis; supply chain and procurement; accounting and finance
8. Kaplan Higher Education
Industry: Education
Estimated new graduate hires: 250
Open positions: Corporate; operations and ground campus positions in marketing; finance; sales and human resources
9. The Kroger Co.
Industry: Grocery and retail
Estimated new graduate hires: 800
Open positions: Information systems; engineering; corporate audit; retail; store management development program; career training program in manufacturing
10. Maxim Healthcare Services
Industry: Health care
Estimated new graduate hires: 500
Open positions: Entry-level sales recruiters
11. Perot Systems
Industry: Information technology
Estimated new graduate hires: 50
Open positions: Business analysts; project coordinators; desk side support technicians; revenue cycle representatives
12. Quest Diagnostics
Industry: Health care
Estimated new graduate hires: 20-30
Open positions: Finance; human resources IT; sales; marketing and operations jobs
13. Rite Aid Corp.
Industry: Retail pharmacy
Estimated new graduate hires: 250-350
Open positions: Entry-level management trainees; store management
14. Robert Bosch LLC
Industry: Technology and services
Estimated new graduate hires: 20
Open positions: Professional development training (bachelor’s level candidates) and junior management program (master’s level candidates)
15. Ryder System Inc.
Industry: Transportation
Estimated new graduate hires: 300
Open positions: Customer logistics specialists; logistics engineers; rental management trainees
16. Sabre Holdings
Industry: Information technology
Estimated number of new hires: eight
Open positions: Programmers; developers; marketing; business operations (finance)
17. Sara Lee
Industry: Food and beverage
Estimated new graduate hires: 30
Open positions: Assistant brand managers; HR generalists; category analysts; operations supervisors; maintenance supervisors; associate scientists; demand planners; customer service account managers
18. Shell Oil Co.
Industry: Oil and gas
Estimated new graduate hires: N/A
Open positions: Meteorology; industrial hygiene; geosciences; engineering (mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, environmental, petroleum); finance and accounting; health, safety, security and environmental programs; sales
19. The Sherwin-Williams Co.
Industry: Retail
Estimated new graduate hires: 550
Open positions: Management and sales trainees
20. Sodexo
Industry: Hospitality/contract services
Estimated new graduate hires: 95
Open positions: Food services managers; environmental services managers; dietitians; engineer and facilities managers; accountant
21. Sun Microsystems
Industry: Network infrastructure
Estimated new graduate hires: 80
Open positions: Computer science, electrical engineering, marketing and finance jobs
22. Tyson Foods Inc.
Industry: Food services
Estimated new graduate hires: 50-65
Open positions: Operations, research and development, sales, marketing and information systems jobs
23. UnitedHealth Group
Industry: Health care
Estimated new graduate hires: 150-200
Open positions: Accountants; financial analysts; operations analysts; business analysts; product consultants; applications developers; programmers; actuarial analysts; internal auditors; communications specialists; marketing specialists; senior financial analysts; outbound marketing specialists
24. Weichert Realtors
Industry: Real estate
Estimated new graduate hires: 640
Open positions: Sales associates
25. Whirlpool Corp.
Industry: Manufacturing, consumer products and durable goods
Estimated new graduate hires: 75
Open positions: Leadership development programs for engineering, finance, marketing, supply chain, information systems, operations management and sales
*Companies are listed in alphabetical order. For specific job requirements, please visit individual company Web sites.
My dad has been at Harris for 15+ years. He started out as a tech and is now a quality control engineer… Good place to work from what I have heard…
haha, Rite Aid Manager Trainees, YES! considering that pays like 30k a year and you can do it out of high school…
ive always thought being a car insurance adjuster would be a cool job