P.M. BRIEFING : ’91 to Be Tougher for Job Hunters

CHICAGO — Most college graduates should have a slightly harder time landing a job in 1991 than their counterparts did this year, according to an annual survey of the nation’s businesses.

But engineers will be in demand, and people with master’s degrees will be hired at a 25% higher rate than in 1990, according to the 45th annual Lindquist-Endicott Report.

The report found that businesses plan to hire 1% fewer graduates overall because of concerns over the recession, inflation, the federal budget deficit and the Persian Gulf crisis.

The report also found that a job applicant’s lack of knowledge about the company is the biggest “turnoff” for recruiters. The highest average starting salary--$43,200--will go to job applicants with MBA degrees, the report said.