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Follow UsCHICAGO, USA: CareerBuilder's annual college job forecast finds that employers are gradually hiring more recent college graduates this year.
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The release further added that of those who plan to hire recent college graduates, 26 percent reported they will offer higher starting salaries than they did in 2010, an improvement from 16 percent who said the same in last year's survey and 11 percent in 2009.
The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder, among more than 2,800 hiring managers and human resource professionals.
"Employers are more optimistic overall, and as a result, are looking to bring in entry-level workers to build their workforce for the future," said Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North America.
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"Companies are adding jobs in a variety of areas and need fresh, educated talent to fill those roles. Our survey found that they will recruit college grads primarily for IT, customer service, sales, finance, accounting and marketing jobs this year," added Rasmussen.
The survey also revealed that while work experience is one of the most influential factors in their decision to hire recent college graduates, employers reported that other activities qualify as relevant experience:
Internships: 68 percent
Part-time jobs in another area or field: 51 percent
Volunteer work: 41 percent
Class work: 34 percent
Involvement in school organizations: 33 percent
Involvement in managing activities for sororities and fraternities: 20 percent
Participation in sports: 12 percent
Thirty-one percent of employers plan to offer recent college graduates starting salaries ranging between $30,000 and $40,000. An additional 21 percent will offer between $40,000 and $50,000, and 24 percent will offer $50,000 or more. Twenty-four percent will offer less than $30,000 added the release.