The number of jobs in Suzhou rose by 18 percent in the first quarter this year from the same period last year, figures from Zhaopin.com show. In Hangzhou, the number of positions offered increased by 22 percent in the first quarter from the same period a year earlier.

"Living costs such as rent are much lower in these second-tier cities than in first-tier cities. Furthermore, the living environment is better, especially in eastern second-tier cities including Hangzhou, Nanjing and

Ministry calls for reports on graduate employment

Shanghai top spot for graduates

Meng Guang, a senior manager at Zhaopin.com in charge of campus recruitment, said more university graduates are opting to leave Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou because of high housing prices and high work pressures, which shows that graduates are making more "rational decisions" in their careers.

Cheng Yutian, 23, a fresh graduate from Communication University of China now works as a host for Hebei Television. "The rent in Shijiazhuang, the provincial capital, is much lower than in Beijing. I need to pay about 3,000 yuan ($482) a month to rent a bedroom in Beijing, but in Shijiazhuang I can rent an apartment with one living room and two bedrooms for the same price.

"I have more opportunities at the TV station, where I host three programs", Cheng said, adding that the experience is very valuable for her.

The station also recruited four of her classmates.

Careers counselor Huang suggested that, amid strong competition, job seekers should also consider other second-tier cities such as Wuxi and Ningbo, where the high-tech industry and trading are also highly developed.

"Other second-tier cities, such as Hefei, Wuhan and Chongqing, have a talent gap. Working there is also a good choice," Huang added.

China's top 10 cities for salaries	Graduates pick work instead of taking advanced degrees