Rosier Job Outlook for New Grads
Recruiters are back, but students still need to do their homework.
Will Hubbard spent the summer after his junior year preparing for life after college. While other students were catching rays, Hubbard, an international-relations major at American University, was e-mailing and making calls to Deloitte, the consulting firm. Come fall, when Deloitte recruiters visited campus, Hubbard had a leg up. "Most people were networking for the first time," Hubbard says. "I knew people from Deloitte from the proactive things I had done."
Although it still takes hustle to land a job, things are looking up for college grads for the second straight year. "We're starting to see a little more breadth in the employers visiting campus," says Richard Hearin, director of the career center at the University of Maryland, where recruiting for private-sector jobs is up 20% this year. The National Association of Colleges and Employers expects hiring to be up 13.5% for the class of 2011 over last year's levels. The only sector that's down is government jobs.
Competition is still fierce. "Recruiters are looking for the complete package," says Kathy Wieland, director of business career services at Iowa State University. That includes academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and multiple internships. By the time he interviewed, Hubbard had spoken with about 25 people at Deloitte. He knew most of the recruiters, and he knew the company inside and out. The payoff? A job as a federal government analyst in Deloitte's Washington, D.C., office.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Anne Kates Smith brings Wall Street to Main Street, with decades of experience covering investments and personal finance for real people trying to navigate fast-changing markets, preserve financial security or plan for the future. She oversees the magazine's investing coverage, authors Kiplinger’s biannual stock-market outlooks and writes the "Your Mind and Your Money" column, a take on behavioral finance and how investors can get out of their own way. Smith began her journalism career as a writer and columnist for USA Today. Prior to joining Kiplinger, she was a senior editor at U.S. News & World Report and a contributing columnist for TheStreet. Smith is a graduate of St. John's College in Annapolis, Md., the third-oldest college in America.
-
Why Taiwan Semiconductor Stock Is Falling After Earnings
Taiwan Semiconductor beat expectations for the first quarter but its stock is notably lower. Here's why.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Strategies to Optimize Your Social Security Benefits
To maximize what you can collect, it’s crucial to know when you can file, how delaying filing affects your checks and the income limit if you’re still working.
By Jason “JB” Beckett Published
-
403(b) Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up for 2024. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Best Foreclosure Sites for Finding Properties
Making Your Money Last Wondering how to find foreclosed homes for sale for your next residence or to flip for a profit? These websites will guide you to foreclosures and real estate-owned properties to buy.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
By Miriam Cross Published
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute Vacation
Travel Procrastinator? No matter. You can pull off a fun and memorable getaway on a moment's notice — without breaking the bank.
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
insurance Instead of relying on rules of thumb, you’re better off taking a systematic approach to figuring your life-insurance needs.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime In 2023 Amazon had two Prime Day events — one in July and another, called Big Deal Days, in October. We expect 2024 to follow the same schedule.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Steps
insurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
By Kaitlin Pitsker Published