"What can you do for us right now?" Spring grads in for job search surprise   NEW YORK, NY (BUSINESS WIRE) - Forget all the talk about the current "hot" job market. Some of this spring's college graduates may get a chilly reception from employers. "Job competition today is not what it was even a few years ago. The first hurdle for a college student may be to convince an employer to hire anyone, let alone you," said James E. Challenger, president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., an international outplacement firm (312/332-5790). "While several industries complain of labor shortages, graduates are misled if they believe they will be swept automatically into full-time jobs. Many companies are not interested in adding inexperienced people to the payroll," added Challenger. "Many more companies, particularly smaller firms, have less money and inclination to add trainees in the current economic atmosphere than in recent years. Today, those who land a job quickly are more likely than ever to have skills beyond what is called for in a job description. And that usually means experienced people. "Even in expanding companies, management sometimes discharges peripheral employees who are overly specialized in favor of hiring diversely skilled job seekers capable of making a sudden impact," said Challenger. According to Challenger, employers today are likely to consider the following questions prior to a hiring decision: -- Why hire a neophyte when I can hire an experienced person, perhaps on a part-time basis? Especially in smaller entrepreneurial ventures where much hiring has been taking place, employers seek individuals possessing some depth of knowledge about their particular field who frequently can do the jobs of two or more people. The pool of these job hunters includes women wanting to return to work after rearing a family, downsized individuals, and restless early retirees. -- Why take a chance on a new employee possibly disrupting customer service or misunderstanding important company policies when existing employees can get the job done? Even a small tear in the fabric of customer service can be difficult, if not impossible, to mend. Employers cannot risk losing their competitive edge due to the mistake or misunderstanding of an inexperienced employee. Often that risk can be avoided by breaking down entry-level jobs into individual tasks and then assigning those tasks to existing employees. With fewer truly entry-level jobs available, college graduates could feel the pinch. -- Why hire an inexperienced person for a job that may involve relocating? Business locations away from company headquarters, once considered good training grounds, now are leaner and more focused on the bottom line. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work with a minimum of supervision are often needed in order to quickly adapt and become productive after a relocation. Employers are wary of placing new college graduates, with little knowledge of company policy and procedures and whose skills are untested, into jobs where early relocation is likely.