More than half of China's university students believe strong social contacts can help them find a good job, according to a survey released on Monday.

 

In a poll of 1,000 students who will graduate next year in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenyang and Xi'an 51.5 percent said they hoped to find a good job through strong social contacts.

 

The survey conducted by the China Youth Daily and Zhaopin.com showed 45 percent believed luck was also an important factor. Future prospects and salary were the two most important factors in evaluating a job opportunity. Gender affected a student's attitude towards a job, the survey found.

 

Most male students valued a good salary, training and promotion opportunities while women rated job stability and the company's reputation. Half of those surveyed hoped to work in Shanghai and Beijing and 20 percent said they were indifferent to the location.

 

Eighty percent expected a monthly salary of around 1,500 to 5,000 yuan (US$192-641). Though only 14.5 percent surveyed were management majors 30 percent expected to become managers or officials in five years.

 

Government posts continue to be much sought after. Figures from the Ministry of Personnel show 1,113,966 people applied to take part in a nationwide examination for 12,724 government posts offered by 89 government departments and regional units this year. More than 500,000 were determined to be qualified to sit the exam with 42 people competing for every job.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2006)