COLLEGE graduates who will join the workforce in 2019 are expecting an average monthly salary of 5,331 yuan (US$774.39), down 1 percent from the same period last year, according to a report by recruitment website zhaopin.com, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

First-tier cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, are still significantly favored by college graduates looking for work. Students who consider Beijing as their ideal destination account for 14.7 percent, while those who prefer Shanghai and Shenzhen account for 6.8 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively.

The number of college graduates nationwide is expected to reach 8.34 million in 2019, an increase of 130,000 students from a year ago.

The report showed that the intermediary service industry still ranks first in the job market. Educational training, outsourcing services, Internet and e-commerce, and hotel and catering industries are also faring pretty well in recruitment.

On the other hand, industries such as aerospace research and manufacturing, banking, energy, mineral resources, mining and smelting are considered less desirable by the new graduates.

According to the report, college graduates entering the workplace in 2019 are most concerned about salary and fringe benefits, which account for 73.8 percent and 66.3 percent of their decision, respectively.

(Zhang Yu)