As graduation approaches in May, college seniors are preparing to enter the workforce by conducting job searches and fine-tuning their resumes. National and local numbers suggest hiring is up, and graduates will find a more receptive job market than in recent years, but some experts predict job shifts will create fierce competition.

“When we surveyed employers back in August 2003 about their hiring plans for the academic year, they told us they planned to increase their hiring for the first time since 2001,” says Marilyn Mackes, executive director of the National Association of Colleges and Employers. “Results from our most recent survey show that the Class of 2004 is indeed graduating into a more positive job market than classes from the past few years.”

That survey found that employers plan to hire 11.2 percent more new graduates from the class of 2004 than they did a year ago. Fifty-one percent of employers participating in the survey plan to hire more new grads this year than in 2003, and more than 24 percent of schools said they had more employers recruiting on campus this fall. According to Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa’s unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in March 2004, down from 4.3 percent a year earlier. However, the improving job market could have some pitfalls.

“As the job market improves, graduates will find themselves competing not only with May grads, but also with graduates from the previous two years who feel underemployed,” said Joan Hitzel, director of career services at Drake University. “We’re probably going to see job movement as those who have stayed put due to the poor market seek better employment.”

“I don’t think the Midwest is experiencing the economic turnaround as strongly as on the coast, but it has improved and we’re hoping it continues to do so,” said Pat Joachim Kitzman, director of the career center at Central College in Pella. “Because of the tough job markets the last few years, students are realizing that they have to use a lot of different strategies to find a job.” Those strategies include crafting a well-written resume and cover letters, using contacts made during internships, conducting online searches, talking to people they know and visiting career fairs, she said.

“It’s tough every year for everybody, but jobs are out there,” said Jim Arthur, director of the career center at Grand View College. “We tell our students, you have to use every resource possible, like networks, job lines and interviews on campus.”

Prospective graduates are taking steps to stand out in a competitive job market. Dave Reimers, a job placement specialist at Des Moines Area Community College, has seen more students in his office for resume help and mock-interviews. According to Kitzman, Central College students are starting to seek her help sooner, including attending job search workshops in the fall. In addition, more students are vying for internships to gain work experience in their chosen fields and garner contacts.

Though hiring predictions are mixed at this point, the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Spring 2004 Salary Survey holds pleasant news: “At the bachelor’s degree level, more than half of the disciplines reported salary increases,” said Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director. “Although many of those increases are small, this is a sign that demand, in some areas, is rising.” Though the average starting salary offer for communications graduates dropped 12 percent to $28,388, business administration graduates saw a 4.7 percent increase to $38,237 and accounting majors were offered an average starting salary of $42,155, up 1.9 percent from last year.

2004 JOB EXPO

Attendance was up at Iowa Workforce Development’s 2004 Job Expo, held April 20 at the Polk County Convention Complex. The Job Expo , co-sponsored by The Des Moines Register, attracted approximately 2,500 job seekers and 91 employers. Also participating were Iowa Workforce Development’s 10 partner agencies, which provide services such as employment training programs. Last year the job fair had 1,700 job seekers, and about 60 employers. The number and the caliber of job seekers at the event has improved in recent years.

“I think the job outlook is better than it was a year ago,” said Kristi Judkins, a business service representative for IWD. “The comment we’re hearing from employers is that they’re looking for qualified people.”