MILWAUKEE, WI (PRWEB) May 17, 2005 -- CollegeGrad.com, the #1 Entry Level Job Site, announced the Top 500 Entry Level Employers for 2005. The list represents more than 140,000 jobs for the graduating class of 2005, with a significant 12% increase in hiring versus 2004.

"Entry level hiring is continuing in a very positive growth trend in 2005," said Brian Krueger, President of CollegeGrad.com. "That upward trend began in 2004 and is accelerating its climb in 2005. We are also seeing many similarities with the hiring growth trend that occurred in the mid-1990s."

Employers listed in the survey results, which are posted at www.CollegeGrad.com/topemployers, are hiring as many as 7,000 new grads and as few as 10. But large or small, 2005 Entry Level Employers are truly enthusiastic about recruiting the Class of 2005.

"GEICO is excited to be recognized as a CollegeGrad.com Top Employer for the second year in a row," said Jyoti Cox, Director of Employment Services at GEICO. "Our 2004 college hires have been so successful, that we are increasing our 2005 entry level hiring goal by nearly 25 percent."

Employers have found substantial benefits to hiring college graduates. "When we increased the number of new college graduates hired in 2004, we saw our tenure rates increase and our customer service quotients improve," said Steven Jungman, National Recruiter for Mattress Firm. "The overall positive energy generated by each new training class served as a positive influence in each respective market!"

Robin Lewis, Mervyn's senior campus relations representative agrees, "Mervyn's is always looking for enthusiastic and exceptional individuals who are prepared to be strong leaders in the retail market."

Career Centers are also encouraged at seeing the continued upward trend in the Entry Level market. "The University of Arkansas has seen a sharp increase in recruiting this year, said Barbara Batson, Director of the University Career Development Center." For the first time in many years, we have had to locate additional interview rooms and career fair space. Staff members are even giving up their offices to let employers interview. That is good news for our students and our employers."

Susan Strayer, Assistant Director of Career Services at the Johns Hopkins University School of Professional Studies in Business and Education, adds: "Seeing statistics on increased entry level hiring is always promising and provides further proof that the jobless recovery is slowly diminishing."

The CollegeGrad.com survey results once again names Enterprise Rent-A-Car as the #1 Entry Level Employer, with 7,000 projected entry level hires for 2005. "It is very gratifying to us that year after year, so many bright, motivated job-seekers continue to choose Enterprise," said Marie Artim, Assistant Vice President of Recruiting at Enterprise. "The word is clearly out that we offer tremendous opportunities based on our promote-from-within philosophy and our entrepreneurial business model -- that we are a company where an entry-level position really is the first step toward a great career."

Even with the optimistic results, Employers and Career Centers advise caution. Natalie Matheson, Human Resources Manager for HILTI North America reminds graduates, "In today's competitive environment, candidates seeking to gain entrance into a top company will need to have mobility and humility. Candidates who are willing to relocate and who accept that their first position may not be the most glamorous receive many more offers than those who won't move out of state or who feel that they are 'too good' for the stock room."

"Prospective graduates need to realize that it is still a very competitive market," cautions Jerry Lee Westbrook, Director of Career Services at Southeast Missouri State University. "College grads must design and actively implement an effective proactive job search strategy that articulates to employers the comprehensive package of their academic achievements, work experiences, leadership and communication skills as well as a clear understanding of the demands of the competitive global marketplace."

The publicly available survey results at CollegeGrad.com include the hiring plans for more than 500 top entry level employers. While many on the list are household name employers such as Microsoft, Ford, Intel and Proctor & Gamble, there are also many lesser known employers such as Oxford Global Resources, Allegis Group and Avaya. The common link is that they are all actively hiring entry level college grads.

This all spells good news for the Class of 2005. "When grad school is not an option and moving back in with the parents is definitely not an option, the good news is that there are still many entry level positions available," said Krueger. "Students just need to complete their job search final."

About CollegeGrad.com:
CollegeGrad.com is the #1 entry level job site on the Internet and is the leader in the field of entry level job search. Established in 1995, CollegeGrad.com has been conducting the Top Entry Level Employers Survey for the past seven years.

Contact: Heidi Hanisko
Phone: 262-375-6700

Brian Krueger, President and Founder of CollegeGrad.com, is available for further interviews with national media on topics related to Internet job search and entry level college student hiring trends. Contact Heidi Hanisko to obtain contact information.

Additional employer and career center quotes for this story can be accessed at www.CollegeGrad.com/press.