In 2010, new college graduates will still face a competitive job market – but there's a light at the end of the tunnel, as far as starting salaries go.
A recent CareerBuilder survey of 2,778 U.S. hiring managers and HR professionals found that 44 percent of employers plan to hire recent college grads in 2010, which is not much better than the 43 percent who said the same in 2009, and actually much lower than 79 percent in 2007.
However, 21 percent of employers who confirmed they would hire recent grads this year also said they will hire more than they did last year, and 16 percent also said they will offer those new grads higher starting salaries than they did in 2009 – which is great news, compared to the 11 percent of employers who said the same thing last year.
Note that although experience (whether through internships, part-time jobs or volunteer work) is an important factor for employers trying to decide which new grads to hire, survey respondents also said they want someone who will fit in with the company culture, has good ideas and asks excellent questions, has a solid educational background, and prepares well for the interview.
So... remember these tips for getting your foot if you're just starting out in your tech career, or making a career switch:
- Thoroughly research the company that's posting the job so you have an idea of what it's like to work there (our Tech Company Profiles page is an excellent place to start if you're applying for a job with a major technology firm).
- Arm yourself with questions to ask during the interview, and practice answering some of the interview questions you could be asked.
- Be prepared to share some ideas about how you could contribute to the company.
- Stay positive during all steps in the hiring process, including your resume and cover letter submission, your follow-up after sending in your resume, the writing of your post-interview thank-you letter, and your salary negotiation.
Also, be sure to check out our Entry Level and New Grad Resources Center for lists of career services, resume and cover letter samples, interview tips and other things that can help you land your first job in your chosen tech field.
Image Copyright: Mary Gober