一项就业展望调查显示，绝大多数企业主认为明年毕业的大学生的就业前景比去年光明，不仅工作机会多起薪也较高，其中又以会计、电脑、电机工程，以及机械工程等十种学位最为抢手。

美国全国大学与雇主协会（NACE）发布的「2005年就业展望」调查显示，明年的大学毕业生就业机会较多且待遇较优。NACE的CEO 梅克丝（Marilyn Mackes）在一项声明说："我们看到一些正面迹象显示，明年从大学毕业的社会新鲜人的就业市场正在好转。"

梅克丝表示：「例如，在接受访调的雇主中，超过八成认为这些社会新鲜人的就业市场『不错』、『很好』，或是『非常好』。相形之下，去年此时只有逾38%的受访雇主给予类似评价。」

这项调查还发现，70%的受访者会提高起薪，增幅平均为3.7%。受访雇主并表示，将会更经常重新评估用人需求。33%表示会每季定期重新评估。但去年的调查结果显示，只有27.4%表示会每年会定期重新评估雇用需求。

至于哪些科系的毕业生最受企业青睐？绝大多数的受访雇主表示，对会计(Accountant)、电机工程(Electrical Engineering)、机械工程(Mechanical Engineering)、企业管理(Business Administration and Management)、经济／金融(Economics/Finance)、电脑科学(Computer Science)、电脑工程(Computer Engineering)、行销(Marketing)／行销管理(Marketing Management) 、化学工程(Chemical Engineering)以及资讯与系统(Information Sciences)等科系的毕业生最感兴趣。

在254位接受访调的雇主中，有45.7%是服务业老板、40.5%是制造业雇主、近13.8%是政府部门或非营利单位的领导人。若从地域来看，35.8%来自美国中西部、30.7%位于南部、21.3%在东北部，12.2%来自西部。

根据NACE在今年秋天的前一次访调，有近61%企业主表示，打算聘用在2004—2005年这届毕业的大学生人数，比上届多。NACE预估大概会增加13%。

相关文章: Graduating Seniors: Survey Offers Encouragement and Tips for Self-Marketing

It's been a tough couple of years for new college graduates but this year may be better. Although it's still early in the college recruiting season, the 2004 Winter Salary Survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) in Bethlehem, Pa. offers some encouraging data for graduating seniors.

"In our latest salary survey, more disciplines report starting salary increases than was the case last year at this time," said Marilyn Mackes, executive director of NACE. What's more, added Mackes, fewer of the disciplines tracked are experiencing decreases in starting salaries this year compared with a year ago.

Higher starting salaries for new technology graduates illustrate the trend. According to NACE, average offers to computer science majors rose 8.9 percent over last year to $48,656. More modest gains were seen for IS (information sciences) and MIS grads, too. MIS grads saw their average starting offers rise 1.3 percent to $41,103 while IS grads received offers averaging $42,108, a 2.6 percent gain.

Graduates in some business disciplines also garnered modest increases. Business administration/management majors, for example, saw their average starting offers rise two percent to $37,368 while marketing and marketing management majors saw one percent increases, raising their average offers to $36, 071. Data for liberal arts graduates remains scarce this early in the recruiting cycle but early indications suggest liberal arts/general studies graduates may see improvements also. Thus far, starting salaries reported for this group averaged $31,426, up 6.2 percent from the average a year ago.

Despite these encouraging early numbers, Mackes noted, "It's important to recognize that the job market isn't booming, but we are seeing improvement."

Translated, her comment suggests competition for jobs is likely to remain keen. That means graduating seniors still need to do all they can to impress employers and distinguish themselves from other job applicants.

One way to accomplish those goals, said Mackes, is to develop the skills most sought after by employers. What are those skills?

When asked to rank the importance of various skills and qualities on a five-point scale --- with 5 being extremely important ---- employers responding to NACE's Job Outlook 2004 Survey ranked communication skills highest at 4.8. Honesty/integrity ranked second with employer responses averaging 4.5. Interpersonal skills, motivation/initiative, a strong work ethic, and teamwork skills all tied for third place with average responses of 4.5.

"College students should take this information to heart and realize that to stand out, especially in a competitive job market, they need to develop these key skills and abilities and must, as importantly, be ready to demonstrate [them]," said Mackes. "Over the years, our surveys have found that, regardless of the job market, employers want to hire those candidates who can complement their work-related skills and experience with the interpersonal and communication skills so critical to workplace success."

The 2004 Job Outlook Survey offered other suggestions from employers regarding what students could do to make themselves outstanding [job] candidates.

Researching companies before interviewing tops the list. According to NACE, because of the easy access to information the Internet offers students, employers take a dim view?of individuals who don't bother to learn about companies prior to interviewing with them. Conversely, students who research prospective employers are seen as demonstrating the kind of initiative and motivation employers look for in new recruits.

Relevant work experience can also provide a competitive edge whether the work was done for a part-time or summer job, an internship or co-op assignment. Internships and co-op assignments also frequently lead directly to offers of employment. NACE's 2004 Job Outlook survey found employers rating internships the most effective method for recruiting new college graduates for the third year in a row. Co-op education programs ranked second most effective, as they did last year.

The ratings appear borne out by actual hiring data. According to NACE, "during the 2002-2003 academic year, employers said they converted more than 38 percent of their interns and nearly 51 percent of their co-op students into full-time hires."

Employers also urge candidates to prepare thoroughly for interviews. They recommend students complete interviewing courses and participate in mock interviews so they are ready to ask and answer key questions confidently and effectively.

"As employers place a lot of emphasis on communication skills, the interview is a key venue for showcasing those skills," noted Mackes. "Go in [to interviews] prepared not only to 'tell' the employer you are the ideal candidate but also to 'show' that you are."