College graduates are more likely to encounter an accommodating job market after leaving school this year than in the past, according to a recently published survey.
Employers have predicted a 13 percent increase this year in the number of graduates who will be hired, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers' 2005 Job Outlook survey.
"The employers have been talking that since the economy is improving, they have more jobs for college graduates," said Andrea Koncz, NACE's employment information manager.
The 254 businesses that responded to the survey included small, large, public and private employers.
The survey states that gains are expected in most economic sectors. The manufacturing sector expects to hire about 13 percent more graduates than it did last year; the service sector will hire 12 percent more; and the government and nonprofit sector hopes to hire 20 percent more than last year.
"Increased sales, new contracts, lower interest rates, increased government spending and increases in the market for new construction feed the positive outlook," the survey states.
"In addition, employers said employee turnover, the aging (and retiring) work force, and mergers and acquisitions of companies are also positive factors in the job market."
Marcia Harris, director of University Career Services at UNC, said the service has noticed increased interest this year in hiring recent graduates.
"There has been a slow and steady upturn (of employers coming to UNC) since 2002," she said, adding that the number of employers visiting campus has increased by 20 percent.
