Recruiting is up for graduating students at the University of Colorado at Boulder, who can expect more job options than in recent years due to growth in almost every kind of industry, according to campus experts.
The technical, financial, retail and service industries are leading the way for new hires in 2006 at CU-Boulder, according to Lisa Severy, director of CU-Boulder's Career Services office.
Nationally, students graduating from college in 2006 should see the best job market in four years, according to a job outlook report issued by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Recent college graduates are generally high on companies' want lists, especially when they are rebuilding their workforces after downsizing or growing due to a rebounding economy, according to Severy.
"When organizations make the decision to rehire, they go for people with the latest skills, the most up-to-date training and the lowest price point, which perfectly describes a new college graduate," Severy said.
This year's positive job news cuts across majors. Many employers are looking for a particular skill set rather than people with a certain major, she said. Instead, they are seeking people who can articulate plans and solve problems.
"There are a lot of students here who have a great diverse resume because they have a lot of skills, they've done a variety of different things while here on campus and then they also have knowledge in their majors," Severy said. "All those things together make them marketable in all kinds of different areas."
When it comes to interviewing for jobs, Severy said students must prepare just like they would for a college exam. This includes figuring out what kind of job they are looking for and then networking with everybody they can.
"Usually by the time you get to an interview they've already established that your credentials are right, they are just looking at that point for a fit," Severy said. "In general, practice is the only thing that can help you prepare. That's why we have a mock interview program here where students can come in and videotape an interview with a counselor and get feedback to learn what they do well and the things they need to work on."
Mary Banks, director of career development for CU-Boulder's Leeds School of Business, said she is "cautiously optimistic" about the job market for students graduating with business degrees. Finance majors are faring well, and companies with sales and marketing positions are actively seeking entry-level workers, she said.
"Our students are very entrepreneurial, they don't need to work in a box," said Banks. "This is a great skill to have because companies are looking for students who can work on their own and think out of the box."
For those students who will graduate in the winter or next spring, it's never too early to start thinking about the job-search process, Severy said. Sitting down with a counselor to help hone their interviewing skills, prepare a resume and become knowledgeable about the job-seeking process can really pay off when it's time to find a job, she said.
For more information about CU-Boulder Career Services call (303) 492-6541 or visit .
A radio story featuring Lisa Severy and the job outlook for this year's graduating students is available to download on the CU-Boulder Office of News Service's Web site at .