How to beat the unemployment trend

On May 26, 2012 by workingabroad

It’s unlikely that you have missed the news; global unemployment is high. The ILO claims that it is around 6% of the global workforce, with 75,000,000 young people around the world without jobs. The chances are that you have been affected by this, either personally or through knowing people who have been made redundant or lost their job in other ways.

If you have lost your job, or want to expand your prospects, there are steps that you can take to ensure your own job security at your next position or to help you progress along your career path. While some of them may well be ideas that you have already implemented (like rewriting your resume), others could be suggestions that you had not considered before but are well worth trying out if you want to beat the unemployment trend.

     1. Rewrite your resume

It’s the first thing that most people do when they’re job hunting; read over your resume, add in information about your latest position, and generally do a little spring cleaning to ensure that you are presenting yourself in the best way possible. This includes ensuring that all of your qualification information is up to date, and ensuring that your references are suitable and ready to respond.

Some of this is quite intuitive, and you can find plenty of examples of good resumes online. However, if you are going to take some of the advice given later in this article (such as expanding your search to other countries), you may need an agency to look at your resume for you and ensure that it is suitable for international employment as well.

If you want to work abroad, you will need to ensure that you have international equivalent qualifications in your resume so that international employers know what your skill and experience levels are. This is just one of the adjustments you may need to make to help you get a job abroad, but you can get quality guidance at every step of this process to ensure that your resume is at its best. There’s more information about this at the end of the post.

2.       Expand your search area

Searching for a similar job in your own town or city can be difficult since there are a limited  number of jobs at any time, and quite a few candidates competing for them – if you work in a niche industry, you may not even be able to find a comparable position for weeks. Expanding your search area increases the number of jobs that you can apply to and therefore improves your chances of getting a job.

How far you expand it depends on a number of factors, but ultimately we live in a global marketplace so expanding to a global level will give you the absolute best opportunities and the widest range of positions to apply for. Countries such as Canada and Australia are actively encouraging skilled workers within particular industries to go and work there, and by fast-tracking assessments they are ensuring that you can start working as quickly as possible.

If you want to work in Australia, Canada, or a range of other countries with excellent opportunities, you can accelerate the process by seeking work while you are still in your home country, and if you get a job offer the company will be able to sponsor your visa, which makes the process faster still.

If you want to work abroad, there is the added step of sorting out your visa, and the way that you search for work will depend on which avenue you want to take; you can either apply for a visa and search for work when you are there (which is a step you can take if you are searching for jobs on the country’s shortage list), or you can look for a job before applying for a visa and ensure that you have everything set up to work abroad before even leaving your current home.

Moving to where the work is will ultimately help give you the best chance of finding new employment, and a fresh start is often appreciated.

3.       Update your skills

It’s difficult to invest money in education when you have found yourself unemployed, but it is an incredibly worthwhile investment and will increase your employment opportunities. Furthermore, if you want to move to another country and are finding it difficult to find a job there while in your current country, you can get a visa faster by applying as a student, and in many countries you will still be able to work part time while you study. While you are there, you will be able to build key contacts and learn more about the jobs market to gain employment once you have finished your studies.

Studying abroad is a valuable addition to any resume, and can significantly increase your prospects, whether you choose to stay in the country or come back home once you have gained your new qualification.

4.       Take a risk

Whether it’s moving career paths, working abroad, studying abroad, or choosing to take a slightly lower position, taking a risk can gain huge rewards in the current market and when you are looking to beat the unemployment trend.

http://working-abroad-blog.com/how-to-beat-the-unemployment-trend/

10 Big Companies Hiring The Most In Marketing Right Now

Things are slowly improving on the jobs front—but plenty of recession-weary businesses remain hesitant to expand their payrolls today. Still, though hiring hasn’t picked up in all areas, there are some bright spots for marketing professionals.

Hiring in this field isn’t as robust as it was last year at this time—but some of America’s largest corporations are looking to fill hundreds of marketing positions right now, according to online job aggregator Indeed.com.

“We observed that marketing jobs were improving in the first quarter of 2012, but have been slowing down over the past few months,” says Peter DeLegge, CEO of Marketing Today and MarketingHire.com. However, the hiring picture is still brighter than it was during the financial crisis.

Paul Forster, Indeed.com’s CEO and co-founder, says businesses slashed marketing budgets deeply during the recession, “but as the economy recovers, marketing budgets are expanding.”

For a second consecutive year, Forbes and Indeed.com have collaborated to put together a list of the 10 companies with the most marketing job postings right now. The picture we offer does not reflect a precise number of available jobs, because an opening can be listed in more than one place and can remain online for a time after it’s filled. Nevertheless, the numbers do offer a strong, broad gauge of which companies are expanding and taking on the most new marketing professionals.

Heading the list with more than 120 unique job postings for marketing-type positions is Sears Holdings Corp. The retailer landed at the top of the heap last year, as well.

Sears’ current marketing job postings reflect a variety of marketing activities. Listed positions include marketing managers, DVP, Chief Marketing Officer of Home Fashion and Footwear, and in-store marketing representatives at their various retail locations. Some of these jobs are part-time and only require a high school diploma—however; many are full-time positions that require BA, BS or MBA degrees and three to seven years of experience in marketing or brand management.

“Our company is focused on becoming a leader in integrated retail; therefore, we continue to look for candidates who possess skills in both traditional and emerging marketing channels to help us achieve this goal,” says Kimberly Freely, a spokesperson for Sears.

The Illinois-based corporation is one of the nation’s largest broadline retailers with 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada – and they’re looking to fill 123 marketing roles right now.

NBCUniversal has ample marketing opportunities, too. In the No. 2 spot, the media company that has paid over $1 billion for the television rights to the Olympic Games in London this summer is seeking 99 new marketing professionals.

Open positions at NBC include marketing managers, marketing directors and marketing analysts, among others. The media and entertainment company is also in the process of filling marketing internship positions for the fall.

Elsewhere on the list, computer software and tech firms look especially promising for marketing job seekers. Microsoft, EMC, Dell, VMware, eBay and Google have a total of 335 online job postings.

“For larger companies, the job growth has been in digital marketing, and specifically social media, search engine marketing, search engine optimization and mobile marketing,” DeLegge says. “Recently, mobile marketing roles and job specifications requiring mobile marketing experience have become increasingly popular.”

Michael Werch, a spokesperson for Indeed.com, says the site’s data supports this sentiment. “[Our] job trends show employer demand for digital marketing professionals has risen sharply over the past three years and remains very strong.”

But despite the wealth of openings across various industries, it can be tough to land these coveted marketing positions.

It takes a special set of skills to be successful in finding and keeping a marketing job. “The internet has changed the marketing field dramatically, and employers are now looking for candidates who are internet savvy, have the ability to communicate through various media, particularly social media, and those who can understand metrics and how they correlate to the bottom line,” DeLegge says.

Forster agrees. He says marketers must be “proficient in using the many new marketing channels available to them and be able to quantify their results. Effective online marketing requires an analytical approach and continuous optimization.”

Werch adds:  “Companies need different types of candidates depending on the product or service being marketed, but strong written and verbal communication skills and a creative mind-set are universally valued.”

Marketing is one of the most competitive departments, in terms of getting in, at most companies, DeLegge says. He suggests that young job seekers do internships, get experience through pro bono work, and network aggressively.

“It’s also imperative that marketing job candidates are engaged in social media because it’s such a valuable tool in marketing now,” he adds. “Whether or not the economy improves in the next few years, I still believe the majority of new marketing jobs will be tied to digital marketing and social media.”

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/06/28/10-big-companies-hiring-the-most-in-marketing-right-now/

10 best countries to live and work abroad 2012

(MoneyWatch) See how this list compares to last year's rankings of the 10 best countries to live and work abroad.

As the economy continues to crawl out of its slump, more businesses will expand into new markets overseas, looking for a new set of consumers and a new labor force. That means there's opportunity for career-minded people willing to start a new life abroad with a global company.

According to HSBC's latest expat survey, expat wealth remains widely immune to global economic troubles, even in countries which have experienced turbulence over the years.

These 10 countries offer more than great economic opportunity, according to the survey. They also provide new residents a good environment for raising a family and a great overall experience -- respondents reported having an easy time adapting the local culture, getting used to local foods and meeting new friends.

10. United Kingdom

Known as one of the financial capitals of the world, the U.K. is popular with expats from every country.

Expatriates relocating to the U.K., and London in particular, can expect to pay a hefty price tag for housing. The city was ranked the 18th most expensive city on Mercer's Cost of Living Survey in 2011, making it the most costly city in the U.K. Wages generally reflect this, but be prepared for sticker shock when searching for an apartment or going to the grocery store.

9. Netherlands

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is a popular destination for expats looking for jobs in the business services, health and welfare services, trade and transport and communications sectors.

The cost of living in the Netherlands is inexpensive compared with some other European countries, but it's not cheap. Foreigners are only eligible for "free sector" apartments, which means there is no cap on how much the landlord can charge and expats should expect to pay big money for little space. 

8. China

Expats looking for work in the IT, manufacturing, finance or international marketing fields will have good luck in China, according to Expat Info Desk.

Many expats will end up in one of the country's two biggest cities: Beijing or Shanghai. The cities ranked 20th and 21st on the Mercer's Cost of Living Survey, and demand for housing is high. Expats can expect to spend an average of 8,817 yuan ($1,400) a month for an apartment in Beijing's city center. Rents in Shanghai range from 6,298 yuan ($1,000) to 56,683 yuan ($9,000) a month, depending on location.

7. France

In France, popular industries include the manufacturing and distribution of machinery, chemicals, automobiles, aircraft, electronics and textiles.

The capital city of Paris is a popular destination for expats because, like most big cities, it offers good job opportunities and plenty of recreational activities. Living in the City of Light is costly -- it ranks as the 27th most expensive place to live on Mercer's index -- and expats should plan to spend more than 990 euro ($1,317) a month for a basic one bedroom apartment in the city center.

6. United States

This location isn't very exotic for those of us currently living in the U.S., but thousands of expats flock to the States every year. Many of them are relocated to big cities like New York, which is widely regarded as the epicenter of the global finance, media and fashion industries.

Rental rates and expenses vary depending on where you live, but New York is the most expensive city in the U.S. Expats relocating to the city should be prepared for sticker shock -- a basic studio apartment can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $2,500 per month.

5. Australia

Companies are drawn to the land "down under" because of the huge potential market and the abundant and diverse natural resources available.

Australian cities have gotten more expensive in recent years; Sydney and Melbourne, two of the most popular cities with expats, are the 11th and 18th most expensive cities in the world. Apartments in Sydney average 545 Australian dollars ($583) a week, while apartments in Melbourne run AU$383 ($377) a week.

4. Mexico

According to Country Guides, Mexico is a go-to destination for global companies looking to expand into the rich markets of the U.S. and Canada. While plenty of expats come to Mexico for work, many others come to retire and enjoy the nice weather and relatively low cost of living. Emigres moving to the country for work can expect to spend an average of 6,345 pesos ($495) on a one-bedroom apartment in an urban area like Mexico City.

3. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE is popular with expats from all over the globe due to its high quality of living and large expatriate workforce. Many of those newcomers head to Dubai, the 81st most expensive city on Mercer's index.

Whether you're coming to Dubai already employed or looking for a new job, expect to pay a lot for housing -- average rents range from 20,000 to 55,000 Emirati dirham ($5400 to $15,000) a year for a studio, and from AED30,000 to AED75,000 ($8,167 to $20,419) a year for a one bedroom.

2. Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a major financial center, and serves as an important trade and cultural center. Recently, the combination of low taxes and a high standard of living has begun to attract expats from all over the world.

The perks of living in this Hong Kong come at a price. Expatriates moving here for work can expect to pay an average of 21,949 Hong Kong dollars ($2,830) for a two-bedroom apartment. If you're traveling to Hong Kong with family and need more space, remember it comes at a premium price: expats should budget more than HK$124,094 ($16,000) a month for a luxury three-bedroom.

1. Singapore

Life in this modern trade and finance center doesn't come cheap. The city of Singapore -- which goes by the same name as the country -- is the eighth most expensive city in the world, according to Mercer's 2011 Cost of Living Index. Groceries are inexpensive, but nightlife and housing are costly. 

Expats planning to rent a room should expect to spend 800 to 1,200 ($627 to $955) Singapore dollars a month. Those planning to rent a larger space should budget S$3,000 to S$6,500 ($2,388 to $5,174) for housing. Like anywhere else, those numbers change depending on location.

By Ilyce Glink March 8, 2012

Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8334-505145_162-57383075/10-best-countries-to-live-and-work-abroad-2012/?tag=back

In Brazil, a Labor Market Bubble?

This might be the kind of bubble you want, one in which nearly the entire country has a job despite an economic slowdown. Brazil’s unemployment rate is at historic lows, under 6%. Wages are rising, adding to inflation as working class consumers spend. In an event in Paris last week, Brazil’s Minister of Finance Guido Mantega said that while Brazil did not face a credit bubble — a warning that the International Monetary Fund made public last month — its labor market was “a little overheated”.
Mantega’s comments got analysts over at Nomura in New York thinking. Tony Volpon, a senior strategist for Latin America, says that Brazil’s labor markets are more than “a little” overheated. “In fact we see evidence of bubble-like behavior in recent wage and hiring increases. If there is one place in the Brazilian economy where a bubble has developed, this is it,” Volpon said in a note to clients on July 13.
What would constitute a bubble in a labor market? As an input to the productive process, companies hire extra staffers until its cost is equal to a maximum of its marginal product value. If the company wants to keep its widget making profit margins at 10 in order to pay shareholders and keep the lights on, then in theory it shouldn’t hire more staff employees if margins are lowered below the company target.
Expecting greater revenue growth is not by itself a sufficient reason to hire more workers, since the cost of the marginal labor being hired (considering its productivity) is growing faster than marginal revenues. In these conditions companies will see their profit margins squeezed. This should lead companies to lower their demand for labor, either by hiring or by paying less or by substituting capital for labor, Volpon says.
Are Brazilian companies over-estimating demand for Brazilian goods abroad and in the local market? The economy has slowed from over 7% growth last year to 5.1% growth for the 12 months ending in the first quarter and is expected to top out at 4% this year. Yet, the labor market is going gangbusters even as the economy is clearly cooling off. The strong demand for labor may be a temporary result of Brazilian companies refusing to translate slower economic growth to their estimates of demand for their own goods and services. When, and if, they realize this mistake, production in Brazil will slow.
Recent Central Bank monetary policy maker meeting minutes has been more focused on briging inflation to the center of the target in 2012, which would put it at around 4.5%. Statements by Mantega hint that any end of year inflation result below the top of the inflation band of 6.5% is OK with him, so long as inflation is not over that, and it won’t be. The recent decision to extend the current inflation target into 2013 with no change, even though it is one of the highest and widest among inflation targeting countries, is another signal that disinflation is not an overarching policy priority in Brazil, Volpon thinks.
“And most damaging, the decision to maintain for next year the double indexation of the minimum wage, which will see this key benchmark for wages in the red-hot service sector rise by something close to 14% in nominal terms next year,” he said, adding that the minimum wage increase, put off this year, will provide another boost to inflation by giving people even more money to spend.
From Volpon’s report at Nomura:
While we think the above factors may well explain still strong labor demand in an environment of falling growth and productivity, this demand is still ultimately unsustainable. There is no escaping the fact that paying up for less productive labor inputs in an environment of falling real growth will generate profit margin compression. Firms may indeed find it harder to find qualified workers, and so act as if demand curves are upward sloping (the true configuration of bubble-like behavior in any market), but paying more as prices rise is self-defeating behavior and will be reversed as profits fall. We believe this is part of the explanation as to why Brazil‟s Bovespa index is one of the worst performing of the major equity markets in the world this year. Labor market behavior may have acquired bubble-like characteristics in Brazil, but as growth continues to falter and the lagged effects of monetary policy tightening continue to hit the economy, and especially the already over indebted consumer, labor market conditions will finally weaken.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2011/07/15/in-brazil-a-labor-market-bubble/

Higher skills provide growing job opportunities as general labour demand slows down

Higher skills remain important for employment opportunities, the latest European Vacancy Monitor shows. The number of job finders in the ‘professionals’ group continued to grow the most in the third quarter 2011 in comparison to the same quarter in 2010 (+16%) while the number of job seekers who found jobs as legislators, senior officials and managers has grown by 13%.
There are further signs of a weakening trend in labour demand since the second quarter 2011. According to Eurostat data an increasing number of countries experienced shrinking number of vacancies. This has had implications for the notification of vacancies to public employment services resulting in a mixed picture: while 10 EU countries mark a positive growth up to 116% in Estonia, 9 public employment services show a negative development down to -37 % in the Netherlands. Recent figures on job vacancies for temporary agency workers also show a continued decline.
A special section dedicated to the development of labour demand in Denmark, known for its flexicurity model, shows a specific reaction to the crisis:

• decline in job vacancies affecting strongly the notification of vacancies to public employment services (PESs) compared to the average of 10 European PESs
• high job mobility with a ratio of 10 employees to one job finder compared to a ratio of 15 to one in the 27 EU countries on average
• rather low share of temporary work with 8,5 % of all employees compared to 13,9 % in the 27 EU countries.

European Job Mobility Bulletin
According to the April issue of the European Job Mobility Bulletin, based on the vacancies published on the EURES portal, the top jobs in demand were:

1. Shop salespersons
2. Finance and sales associate professionals
3. Housekeeping and restaurant services workers
4. Electrical and electronical equipment mechanics and fitters
5. Modern health associated professionals.

Additionally, the bulletin shows there are good employment opportunities for:

• Personal care and related workers
• Machinery mechanics and fitters
• Architects, engineers and related professionals
• Administrative associate professionals
• Computing professionals

Source: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=822&newsId=1283&furtherNews=yes

Women fared better in the job market

Women posted their best month of job gains in April since the recession ended nearly three years ago, a factor that could help boost their support for President Obama. 

While women workers have largely held their own through the recession, an analysis by the National Women’s Law Center shows that they gained 73 percent of the 115,000 jobs added in April — the largest share of monthly job gains for women since the start of the recovery in June 2009, based on data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"Today’s data show that while most of April’s modest job gains went to women, there’s still a long way to go to reach a full recovery for women and men," said Joan Entmacher, vice president for Family Economic Security at the NWLC. 

"This is not the time to cut back on programs that create jobs and help families get back on their feet.”

Entmacher criticized the upcoming vote on a reconciliation bill in the House Budget Committee next week that would trade automatic cuts in a congressional sequester for others to programs such as food stamps, Medicaid, funding for services for children and seniors and tax credits to make health insurance affordable.

"These measures would cripple families and the economy," she said. 

During the recovery, between June 2009 and April, women have gained only 16 percent of the nearly 2.5 million net jobs added in the recovery.

In the private sector, women gained 62 percent of the 130,000 private-sector jobs added in April and 26 percent — or 800,000 — of the nearly 3.1 million jobs added overall, according to the analysis. 

Men, who had a steeper hill to climb on the jobs front, have gained the majority of positions through the recovery, which has seen the labor market gradually healing. 

The largest job gains for women in April appeared in the professional and business services sectors, which include temporary help services, private education and health, and leisure and hospitality jobs. Women also picked up jobs in the expanding manufacturing sector. 

The public sector lost 15,000 net jobs last month, with men bearing all of the losses, while women gained 4,000 public sector jobs. 

During the recovery, the public sector has lost 601,000 net jobs — two-thirds of which (400,000) were held by women. Losses in the public sector have dragged on a more robust labor market recovery. 

The overall unemployment rate for adult women was unchanged at 7.4 percent in April, while adult men’s rate declined slightly to 7.5 percent. 

Since the start of the recovery, adult women’s unemployment rate has dropped by only 0.2 percentage points, while men’s unemployment rate has declined by 2.4 percentage points.  

The long-term unemployment rate — the percentage of unemployed workers looking for jobs for 27 weeks or longer — increased for adult women last month to 45.2 percent, while the long-term rate for adult men rose to 47.4 percent. 

The long-term unemployment rates for both adult women and men are substantially higher than at the start of the recovery, the analysis said. 

“There aren’t enough jobs for everyone who wants to work and millions of Americans are still struggling to meet their basic needs,” Entmacher said.  

Women’s substantial losses in the public sector have driven their small overall job gains in the recovery. In fact, for every two jobs women gained in the private sector during the recovery, they lost one in the public sector.

Women are nearly 50 percent more likely to work in the public sector than men, according to a Labor Department report in 2010. 

By Vicky Needham

Source: http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/economy/225541-women-fared-better-in-the-job-market-in-april

Dress for success on next job interview

10 tricks for avoiding missteps, making the best impression

With the economy continuing to flounder, more and more people are finding themselves on an unexpected side of the desk: The side where the interviewee sits.

As if job interviews and crowded career fairs weren’t stressful enough, there’s also the anxiety of figuring out what to wear. How can you tell how dressed-up — or dressed-down — you can go?

The answer to that question will vary considerably based on the kind of job you’re seeking, but the following tips provide a basic guide for how to proceed. Read on so you can tackle those interviews with confidence.

1. Opt for a conservative look, not an outlandish one. Whether you’re trying for a top executive position or a job that will require you to roll up your sleeves and get dirty, attire that is distracting is a no-no. In most cases it makes sense to choose simple, understated styles and colors — blues and grays, for example. Black also could work, so long as you won’t be mistaken for an undertaker or a Johnny Cash wannabe. To avoid that fate, soften up your look by wearing another color near your face.

2. When in doubt, ask. If you’re honestly not sure what kind of dress would be most appropriate for an interview with a particular employer, call the company and ask for some guidance. Don’t bother the hiring manager with this; instead, call the human resources department and say, “I have an interview with So-and-So in the Such-and-Such department for a position as a _____. Could you let me know what would be appropriate dress for this interview?”

3. Dress for the job you really want.Some hiring managers recommend dressing one or two levels up from the position you’re seeking. The point behind this would be to show that you’re a serious job candidate who cares about making a good impression.

4. Accessorize with great care. This isn’t the time to go with wild nail polish, jangle-y jewelry, face jewelry, ankle bracelets, strong perfumes or colognes, brightly colored or printed purses or briefcases, scuffed briefcases, open-toed shoes, backless shoes or bare legs. All of your accessories should be understated, inconspicuous and professional.

5. Cleanliness is next to employability. Clean, pressed clothes are important, of course, but here are some other key areas to remember: Have clean, polished shoes in good repair, clean, groomed hair and fingernails, well-brushed teeth, fresh breath and absolutely no body odor.

6. Stay up to date. For men, suits and tie patterns can look dated if they’ve been hanging in your closet for several years. Even worse, your suit might be tight on you at this stage of the game. The same goes for women’s suits and dress-shirt patterns. To find out whether you’re looking a little bit too 1996, ask a trusted friend to help you assess your professional wardrobe.

7. Don’t wear these items! Just say no to: short skirts; capri pants; leggings; leather jackets for men or women; or turtlenecks for men. Men should wear collared shirts on job interviews — and in almost every situation, a tie won’t hurt your cause.

8.Your own common sense and good judgment should prevail. If you know for sure that wearing a tie on a particular interview wouldn’t be the right thing to do, then don’t do it. Same for a formal business suit. But don’t stubbornly think that this is the time to make a flashy fashion statement. Instead, this is the time to make sure your appearance doesn’t distract in any way from all the good information you have to share about yourself.

9. There’s no need to break the bank. Some of these tips might make you think that you need to rush out and drop hundreds of dollars on fancy new suits and shoes. That’s not true. You can find professional clothes on sale at deep discounts at major department stores and discount retailers, and you often can find new or barely used suits and dress shirts at thrift stores. Also, nonprofit organizations such as Dress for Success help disadvantaged women throughout North America and in other countries to get outfitted for job interviews so they can get on the path to financial independence. For ideas about how to spend very little money on clothing, read this past 10 Tips column on the subject .

10. Set aside enough time for a final once-over. Before you walk into the actual job interview, slip into the restroom and look in the mirror. Is your tie flipped around? Do you have any food in your teeth? Is your hair standing straight up? If not, you’re good to go!

By Laura T. Coffey

Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29241014/ns/today-money/t/dress-success-next-job-interview/#.UC0LePaPVjs

College graduates enjoy best job market in years

By Michael L. Diamond, Asbury Park (N.J.) Press

The class of 2012 is leaving U.S. colleges with something that many graduates since the start of the Great Recession have lacked: jobs.

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"It's a very unsettled entry-level job market, but I remain optimistic that there are at least these positive signs," said Richard White, director of career services at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.

In some ways, members of the class of 2012 got lucky. They arrived on campus in September 2008, the same month that Wall Street investment bank Lehman Bros. collapsed, touching off a financial crisis that exacerbated the recession.

On campus, they were largely insulated from the collapsing U.S. economy. While older brothers and sisters graduated into a dismal job market, they took shelter in chemistry, philosophy and literature classes.

They used their college years to prepare for the brutal realities of the job market that would await them. They began networking for jobs much earlier, as freshmen in some cases. They pursued summer internships not simply as resume booster, but as gateways to permanent jobs. And they developed more realistic expectations about landing a job in the ideal place and at the ideal salary.

Rebecca Wishbow, a nursing graduate from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J., was drawn to the field after her own fight with leukemia in high school. And she gained valuable experience working as a patient care associate at Ocean Medical Center in Brick, N.J., as early as her freshman year.

Wishbow said she doesn't have a job lined up yet since she still has to pass a test to become a registered nurse. But she's hopeful.

"As we graduate, all of us (in the nursing program) are starting to realize what an advantage we're at," said Wishbow, now five years leukemia free and considered cured. "We all feel pretty comfortable and pretty safe we'll get jobs. It's a good feeling."

What’s in demand?

According to a survey by CareerBuilder.com, business tops the list of the most in-demand college majors for employers, with technical majors following closely behind.

Business: 39%
Computer and information sciences: 24%
Engineering: 23%
Math and statistics: 13%
Health professions and related clinical sciences: 13%
Communications technologies:12%
Liberal arts and sciences: 9%

Source: CareerBuilder.com

On campuses across the country, spirits are more upbeat this spring, and the employment outlook is especially promising, according to interviews with three dozen seniors and career center directors.

Between September 2008 and August 2010, 6.9 million American jobs were eliminated. In the past year and a half, 3.1 million jobs have been created. The strengthening job market has made a big difference to seniors who are job-hunting in their final semester.

The unemployment rate for college graduates 24 and under averaged 7.2% from January through April. That rate, which is not adjusted for seasonal factors, is down from the first four months of 2011 (9.1%), 2010 (8.1%) and 2009 (7.8%). For all Americans, the unemployment rate is 8.1 percent.

"It's just been such a dramatic change from what we saw in 2008," said Mercy Eyadiel, who oversees career development at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. Back then, openings disappeared overnight and companies were calling recent graduates to rescind offers.

Wake Forest senior Lesley Gustafson started her job search during her freshman year and in March was offered a job with consulting firm Accenture.

"I knew I would find something," Gustafson says. "I was more nervous finding something that I would be interested in rather than having to take a job just to take one."

Some college career centers said they are getting more interest from employers. Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J., this spring had its best employer turnout for a job fair since 2006. And it had close to 900 postings for full-time jobs, up 15% from last year, said William Hill, assistant dean of career services.

"Is the job market for seniors as robust as you'd want it to be? I don't think so," Hill said. "But there are reasons to be hopeful, and the job market is improving."

The job market remains tough, even for those graduating from the best universities. Hiring is not back to its pre-recession level and plenty of seniors are leaving campuses without jobs. Moreover, White said, new graduates are competing for entry-level jobs with graduates from recent years.

Yet this year's graduates are less likely to face the disappointment of moving back in with Mom and Dad, or being forced to work at a coffee shop to pay off loans.

Students' expectations have changed, writing off the dream job in favor of stepping-stone positions that hopefully will lead to better opportunities. Not that they had much choice; pay for new graduates fell 10% during the recession, according to the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers. Few expect it to climb back soon.

Despite the lower pay, students today have more confidence in the job market. Two years ago, career directors say, seniors were so afraid of the recession that they flocked to graduate schools to wait out the dark times.

That trend is reversing. The number of U.S. students taking admissions exams for graduate business school and law school are down 8% and 16%.

Contributing: The Associated Press

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/credit/story/2012-05-21/more-jobs-for-college-grads/55107174/1