While there is no denying that the job market is tough, and competition fierce, graduate recruitment has not completely stopped.

Concerns about the economy and the effects on recruitment are everywhere. Financial collapses, cutbacks and redundancies make headline news. If all you see is the headline you could be forgiven for thinking there will be nothing for you after graduation.

While there is no denying that the job market is tough, and competition fierce, graduate recruitment has not completely stopped. Many employers are reporting that �they will continue to recruit some graduates.�

Despite a tough employment market companies still want bright young people and they are still looking for the capable well rounded graduate.

Who�s hiring?

While the number of vacancies is down overall there are still opportunities being advertised. There are presently up to 150 companies advertising graduate opportunities on gradireland.com.

Indeed Gradireland is proceeding with the country�s biggest recruitment fair in the RDS this October. In addition, all college careers services have opportunities on their online vacancy boards. At the time of writing there were over 200 companies advertising graduate positions on the other major recruitment websites. Recruitment agencies are also reporting graduate jobs on their books.

Given the costs involved, many companies with opportunities don�t advertise them. They interview and offer employment based on direct applications received and/or on recommendations. Job hunters need to be acutely aware of this.

So, despite the way things look, companies are still hiring. Indeed amongst the headlines of closures, job losses, doom and gloom, we can find some glimmers of good news on the jobs front.

Over the last couple of months we�ve seen a number of companies announce new expansions and start ups.

CONSTRUCTION

• A new marina in Bangor www.quaymarinas.com is to create 1,750 jobs in NI with 1,000 posts to be generated in its construction

CUSTOMER SERVICES AND SUPPORT (LANGUAGES)

• Call-centre firm Zevas -www.zevas.com-has announced plans to create 45 new jobs in Cork. Click here for more information.
• Computer game company Blizzard Entertainment http://eu.blizzard.com/en/jobs/index.html has created 500 jobs at its centre in Cork

ELECTRICITY AND POWER PLANT MAINTENANCE

• 30 jobs are to be created in Cork following the awarding of an operations and maintenance contract to General Electric - www.ge.com/ie/ - for the new Bord G�is power plant

ELECTRONICS AND LIGHTING

• Nualight -www.nualight.ie- which provides LED lighting is expanding to employ 80 people in Cork. Click here for more details.

ELECTRONICS AND SEMI CONDUCTOR DEVELOPMENT

• 118 jobs will be created by Powervation http://www.powervation.com/ which designs and makes semiconductor power supplies. Click here for more details.

ENERGY RECOVERY

• Energy Recovery Limerick is to employ new 80 people at a new waste thermal treatment plant. Click here for more details.

HOTEL AND TOURISM

• 100 jobs will be created following the re-opening of the Quality Hotel www.qualitykillarney.com in Killarney.

IT AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

• 100 new jobs will be created in IBM www.ibm.com/ie

IT SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT - FINANCIAL SERVICES

• Financial software developer Sophis Technology Ireland www.sophis.net is creating 13 jobs in Dublin.

IT AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING; RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Software firm Voice Sage -www.voicesage.com-is to create 25 jobs in Dublin
• Software company InVision Software -www.invisionsoft.com-is creating 30 jobs in R&D in Derry

IT AND HELATHCARE

• Cerner Corporation -www.cerner.com-suppliers of healthcare-related IT products has announced 40 jobs in Dublin

MEDICAL DEVICES

• Medical device giant Boston Scientific - www.bostonscientific.com- is to create 45 posts in Galway
• Medical equipment manufacturer Lir-Med www.lir-med.com plans to create up to 50 jobs in Armagh

PHARMACEUTICALS

• Pharmaceutical firm Rottapharm - www.rottapharmmadaus.com- in Dublin is to create 35 new jobs

PRINTING

• Printing tool company Wetzel Holding -www.wetzel.de/en-is creating 25 jobs in Meath.

RETAIL

• Fashion chain H&M www.hm.com/ are to open in Cork with 100 to 150 jobs
• Online retailer Cdiscount -www.cdiscount.com- announced 50 jobs at its new headquarters in Dundalk

SALES AND MARKETING

• Blackwater Motors -www.blackwatermotors.ie- Cork has announced creation of up to 80 jobs

RETAIL AND FAST FOOD

• PHQ by Pizza Hut - www.pizzahut.ie- is opening 7 new stores with 260 new jobs.

So while some industries are being hit hard by the downturn e.g. the finance sector, construction, motor retailing, and property services, other sectors are proving better able to weather the current economic storm.

Industry sectors that are recruiting ahead of the current average include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, waste management, renewable energy, and technology and business services.

Another sector that tends to hold its own is the fast moving consumer goods, although recent price wars have put pressure on Irish suppliers.

There has also been increased demand for business analysts/project managers as companies look to maximise efficiencies.

In addition, incidents of claims lodgment have increased with the current economic climate, which has pushed demand high for claims investigators and loss adjustors.

Dave Kilmartin is Head of Careers at Dublin Institute of Technology