The following article is excerpted from a January 30, 2008 press release by CollegeGrad.com, a company that specializes in entry-level job search topics, and is used by permission. 

CollegeGrad.com Names Top 500 Entry Level Employers for 2008

 College Grad Hiring Up 11.8%

STATE COLLEGE, PA--(HR MARKETER)--January 30, 2008--As students begin their spring semester at college campuses nationwide, CollegeGrad.com, the #1 Entry Level Job Site, announces the Top 500 Entry Level Employers for 2008.  Great news for the Class of 2008--entry level employers are increasing their hiring by 11.8% in 2008.  This is the largest projected increase in entry level hiring CollegeGrad.com has seen since 2005. 

The Top Entry Level Employers list represents more than 165,000 jobs for the class of 2008, and is available online at http://www.CollegeGrad.com/topemployers.  The list details the 2008 entry level hiring plans for employers nationwide and includes links to the home page, careers page and college page for each employer.  Each employer page also details projections for intern hires and master's level hires for the 2008 recruiting year. 

"This is an impressive number of openings for 2008," said Brian Krueger, President of CollegeGrad.com.  "Even in the midst of a challenging economy, college grads are in very high demand, and employers are competing to attract top skilled candidates in all industries."

Among the 2008 Top Entry Level Employers listed by CollegeGrad.com, 60% anticipate hiring more college grads in 2008 than 2007.  21% will hire the same number and 19% will be hiring fewer college grads than in 2007.  At the top of the list, Enterprise Rent-A-Car plans to hire 8500 new grads, while the smallest featured employers will hire as few as 10.  But large or small, the good news is they are all enthusiastically hiring the Class of 2008. 

What specific challenges will college grads face in their entry level job search for 2008?  "Globalization continues to transform the business landscape," said Blane Ruschak, National Director of University Relations and Recruiting for KPMG.  "This has led to an increased hiring emphasis on college graduates that possess or have the ability to acquire global skills and competencies."

In the midst of an increasingly global economy, and with an unprecedented percentage of professionals reaching retirement age, employers look to college grads to breathe new ideas, and bring expanded skills and fresh perspectives into the corporate world."

Krueger reminds college students that although the 2008 job outlook is favorable, a successful job search requires a concerted and focused effort.  "It's never too early to start your job search.  CollegeGrad.com maintains a web site with entry-level job listings and tips for conducting your job search at www.collegegrad.com.