While nearly seven million new college graduates attempt to find jobs this year, China faces what is being called its hardest ever job-hunting season.

Job hunters take part in a job fair at the Tianjin University of Finance and Economics in Tianjin, north China, April 10, 2013. The job fair attracted 225 enterprises and institutions, providing 4,700 job vacancies for college graduates. [Photo/Xinhua]

A new authoritative report indicates that in the period up to April 10th, the contract signing rate for new graduates and post-graduates was 35 and 26 percent respectively, 11 and 12 percentage points lower than that of last year.

The figures come from the Chinese College Graduates' Employment Annual Report released by MyCOS Data, a leading higher education consulting firm in China.

Based on the figures from the State Administration of Civil Service, among the seven million new graduates, 1.12 million have taken part in the National Public Servant Exam. One out of 53 exam sitters will be successful in gaining a government post.

Wang Boqing, CEO of MyCOS, says working for government authorities and public institutions is still the top career choice for many graduates.

"Many graduates want to find a job that is low pressure yet relatively well-paid. Thus, working for government authorities and public institutions is an ideal choice for them. Though its salary is lower than that of many private companies, the workload is not that heavy or challenging."

Yang Jiewei, who graduated from an elite university in 2009, gave up a high-paid job at an influential media organization to become a grass-roots official in a local sub-district office in Beijing.

"I previously interned at a local TV station but felt very tired from the irregular working hours. At present, I am in charge of publicity at a sub-district office.

Leaders and colleagues are friendly and eager to help newcomers. Although the salary is relatively low, workers can lead a more balanced life here and really enjoy the favorable work environment. I won't change my job in the near future."

According to MyCOS' report, government authorities and public institutions enjoy the highest degree of satisfaction. After surveying students who graduated in 2009, 53 percent of those working in government authorities and public institutions are satisfied with their job, while figures for self-employed graduates and those working for private companies is the lowest, reaching only 32 percent.

Qu Qun, who graduated five years ago and currently works for a medium-sized private company says she chose her first job only because it was closely related to her major.

"I quit my first job in a small private company because of its poor management. The boss recruited too many of his relatives and personal relations were too complex. Still, I am thankful for the first job. After one year's practice there, I became more confident in my major and more skilled at communication. It laid a good foundation for my second job."

Regarding her current job at a medium-sized private company, Qu says she felt quite relaxed at the company and gained a number of good opportunities to meet many different kinds of people. However, she still plans to search for a job in a larger company for better career prospects.

Attending public servant exams remains a dominant trend for young people since working for the government and public institutions is widely regarded as offering the most satisfactory conditions. However, Ge Yuhao, associate professor of Renmin University, and a labor and human resources expert, recommends that students make a clear career plan, rather than blindly rushing into government authorities and public institutions.

She says that those who are less skilled at organizing activities or seldom attend student associations will not be competent working in government authorities, whereas innovative and energetic graduates are also not well-suited to civil servant roles.

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