During the peak "golden March and silver April" recruitment season, universities across Shanghai have been actively hosting spring campus job fairs. A recruitment event at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics gathered nearly 400 high-quality enterprises, offering over 10,000 positions. At Tongji University, more than 330 employers presented over 3,000 job openings, with total hiring demand exceeding 10,000 roles. Shanghai Dianji University's job fair attracted 182 reputable companies, providing more than 2,500 employment opportunities. Observations from multiple recruitment events reveal that this year, many companies are emphasizing new requirements for graduates' artificial intelligence capabilities, making candidates with strong AI literacy highly sought after in the job market.
At the campus recruitment fair held by Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, a manager from a human resources service company noted two emerging trends in corporate talent demand in recent years. First, there is a growing requirement for job applicants to possess basic AI application skills. Second, the expansion of overseas business operations has driven a continuous increase in demand for internationally-oriented talent.
Shanghai Construction No. 2 Group Co., Ltd. has specifically introduced roles for smart construction R&D engineers in this year's spring recruitment. The hiring manager indicated that the company prioritizes candidates with an engineering background who also possess skills in electronic information and big data, reflecting a preference for interdisciplinary expertise. Similarly, China Construction Engineering Design & Research Institute (Shanghai) has added positions focused on green and low-carbon initiatives, digitalization, and smart technologies, alongside its traditional architectural and structural design roles, prioritizing the recruitment of professionals aligned with industry policy directions.
Liu Guojun, Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Office at Shanghai Dianji University, acknowledged that the awareness and ability to use AI tools to enhance specific work scenarios have become an implicit threshold for many positions. Whether in technical roles at advanced manufacturing firms or functional positions in business fields, AI application capabilities are now integrated into talent evaluation systems.
Li Hengduo, HR Manager at Xiangyu Group's Shanghai platform, reported that the company's total spring recruitment volume is similar to last year's autumn intake, with plans to hire over 100 people. Notably, there has been a significant increase in demand for roles related to international business, as the company has incorporated international expansion into its new strategy, focusing on localized operations in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Interviews at multiple universities also highlighted a more rational mindset among graduates. An increasing number of students are seeking roles that match their personal needs, with "precise fit" and "long-term growth" becoming core considerations in their job search. Ruan, a recent law graduate from East China University of Political Science and Law, shared that her job search is guided by two main criteria: the position must offer substantial growth potential, and she is open to a fast-paced work environment; additionally, the salary must meet basic living expenses in Shanghai. Consequently, she has targeted sales positions rather than traditional law firms. Since the start of the spring recruitment season, she has submitted over 30 applications and has already received three job offers.
Zhang, a student from the Kaiserslautern Smart Manufacturing School at Shanghai Dianji University, has already secured an offer from a semiconductor company in the city center but still attended the university's spring job fair. He pointed to practical policies in the Lingang New Area, such as shortened residency requirements for obtaining a Shanghai hukou (household registration) and the availability of subsidized housing. More importantly, leading companies in the industry are establishing a presence in Lingang, creating strong industrial clustering effects and offering greater long-term development opportunities. If suitable opportunities arise, he is willing to change his employment plans and settle in Lingang.
Job stability remains a critical factor for graduates, with positions at state-owned enterprises, Fortune 500 companies, and industry leaders still being the top choices. Jiangsu Leer Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., which participated in Tongji University's spring recruitment for the first time this year, plans to hire over 70 employees. A company representative mentioned that the firm specializes in intelligent manufacturing for environmental protection equipment—a sunrise industry supported by national policies. The company's project contracts typically span 20 years or more, ensuring long-term business stability. Although the job location may not be in Shanghai's main urban area, the positions, which include meals and accommodation along with stable benefits, have attracted numerous applications.
During the campus recruitment fairs, many employment service booths also saw long queues. Services such as "resume clinics," "book an AI interviewer," and "career experience day activities" were particularly popular, demonstrating practical measures taken by Shanghai universities to support student employment. At Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, the "Career Afternoon Tea" interactive salon, supported by a team of 35 consultants from various resources, offers one-on-one in-depth counseling for graduates. Additionally, the university utilizes an "AI + employment support system" to provide round-the-clock online services.
Liu Guojun emphasized that waiting passively for companies to approach the university is no longer sufficient. Since the end of 2025, the university has launched a dual-drive action plan combining "enterprise outreach and post expansion" with "skill enhancement." University and college leaders have taken the lead in visiting companies, focusing on engaging with large-scale enterprises, high-tech firms, and specialized, sophisticated SMEs. This semester alone, the initiative has secured over 500 high-quality positions. Furthermore, the university actively promotes student participation in vocational skill certification training and micro-degree programs, aiming to bridge the "last mile" between academic training and corporate needs.
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