MBA Recruitment Up

April 27, 2004 (PLANSPONSOR.com)-MBA graduates are more likely to be hired this year, according to the 2004 Corporate Recruiters Survey released by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

The survey results reveal that more recruiters are hiring in 2004; only 12% of recruiters polled this year are unable to hire MBA grads, compared to 23% in 2003. Additionally, fewer recruiters (50% in 2004 vs. 69% in 2002) are blaming the economy for limiting their hiring, according to GMAC.

The top three jobs this year remain unchanged from that of previous years:

  • Finance (62% of recruiters hiring)
  • Marketing (49% of recruiters hiring)
  • Accounting (30% of recruiters hiring)

Marketing, in which hiring increased 15% over last year, is the industry with the greatest increase since 2002, a total of 18%, compared to moderate growth seen in both accounting and finance.

Recruiters polled by GMAC said the three most important qualities in a new hire are

  • strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • a proven ability to perform
  • a cultural fit with the company

A total of 1,300 recruiters representing 1,004 companies worldwide participated in the survey.

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