Private firms plan to boost hiring of new college grads by 13.5% this year, with an increase in nearly every field…accounting, engineering, sales, etc. The newcomers will also nab higher starting salaries for the first time since 2008. The average for a 2011 grad with a bachelor’s degree: $50,034. One cloud: Government offices will hire 10% fewer grads than last year.
One branch of the Government with plenty of jobs in the pipeline: the military. The Army hopes to expand its active duty force by 60,000 over the next five years, to about 550,000 men and women.
To bring recruits aboard: Generous signing bonuses…$20,000- $45,000 in some cases. In 1998, the typical bonus was just $6,000. Young men and women who are fluent in a foreign language or have technical skills will earn the most cash.
Other carrots: Better housing and more liberal health care plans.