Sequestration / No college grads need apply

At a time when governments at all levels are trimming staffs, college graduates hoping to land public-sector jobs are facing another hurdle: sequestration. Career counselors and recruiting experts say the federal spending cuts that went into effect March 1 are causing several federal agencies—many of which are having to furlough employees as a result of the cuts—to hold back job offers until they know what their budgets will look like. “They’re kind of in limbo,” says Lily Whiteman, author of “How to Land a Top-Paying Federal Job.”

To be sure, the outlook for new graduates like Lopez isn’t much better in the private sector. While the number of graduates hired this spring is expected to increase by 2% from last year, according to the most recent survey of employers by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, poor job prospects are forcing many degree-holders to settle for low-skill jobs. A survey by staffing firm Adecco found that nearly 60% of hiring managers are not planning to hire any entry level college graduates this year.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor

via No college grads need apply – MarketWatch.