Graduates seek prospects at a job fair in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. They face tougher challenges in a slower economy. [Photo/China Daily]

There are less than 100 days before graduation and finding a decent job is the most pressing need for most Chinese students. A survey has showed more prefer working for foreign companies or State-owned enterprises (SOEs) and choose first-tier cities when they graduate.

The survey of 1,510 respondents was conducted by renren.com, one of China's first social media websites.

It showed that 29.4 percent of post-1990s generation graduates want to work for foreign companies, 25.5 percent for SOEs and 23.5 percent for private companies. Only 7.8 percent choose to prepare for the civil service exam.

Meanwhile, 64.7 percent want to work in first-tier cities, 37.3 percent in second-tier cities or coastal regions, 23.5 percent in their birthplace and 11.8 percent in cities where their university is located.

The survey also found that 41.2 percent have a salary expectation of 8,000-10,000 yuan ($1,279-$1,599)and 31.4 percent 4,000-6,000 yuan.

According to the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, the average salary was 5,036 yuan in 2013 while in Beijing it was 5,793 yuan.

In Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, 28.1 percent of graduates have a salary expectation of 8,000-10,000 yuan, 12.3 percent 6,000-8,000 yuan and 38.7 percent 4,000-6,000 yuan.

According to data released by Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Statistics last May, the average salary in Chongqing was 4,251 yuan in 2013.