In a good economy, the average entry-level job search can take from three to six months. In a poor economy, it takes even longer. There may be fewer opportunities available, and even if they have opportunities, employers may be cautious about filling them because of budget concerns.  In addition, the hiring process can be lengthy because there 

are so many steps involved (the application process the first interview several follow-up interviews a background or reference check the offer the acceptance). Start early during your final year to develop your resume, gather supporting application materials, practice interviewing, explore opportunities, and begin to apply for jobs three to four months before graduation.

It's easy to kick back after graduation and hope a job will come to you. However, unless your parent owns a company, that tactic rarely works.  Be proactive! Use the tips on this website to develop a list of job search goals. Get a calendar and write one task for each day of the business week, Monday through Friday. Include time to refine your resume, 

Put yourself in the employer's shoes. He or she has a position to fill and is looking for a particular set of skills and/or experience.  Take the time to research the position and organization, identify what sets you apart from other candidates, and include the information on your resume. Make certain the employer can see how your

Pointing and clicking at your computer isn't going to get you a job in this economy. Get out from behind your desk and connect with employers in person. Take advantage of every available opportunity, such as job fairs, campus interviews, and other networking events.  A resume can't tell your whole story to an employer, so an in-

"Help Wanted" signs may be few and far between, but there are jobs out there for students who are prepared.  Be persistent, follow up with employers that interest you, and be professional. During this economic crisis, you may need to apply for a broader variety of jobs, including jobs for which you may feel under-qualified or over-qualified. The more jobs 

Since many jobs are never advertised, networking is one of the best ways to find employment. Of course, building a network means that you have to talk with people, whether you know them or not.  Start with family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and professors until you begin to feel more comfortable. Then attend professional 

organization meetings in your field and get involved so you can expand your network. Share your career interests, geographic preferences, and other pertinent information. Ask "Who do you know that would know about finding a job in [list your field of interest]?" Eventually, one contact will lead to another and another and so on, until you get a referral that 

The majority of opportunities are filled before they are announced publicly. Your challenge is to find out where those jobs exist. Use your network to inquire about opportunities and get some leads.  Then target an organization and a department where you are interested in working. Research it through publications and 

people connected with the organization, such as vendors, customers, and employees. Identify the person (usually a manager) who makes hiring decisions for the department.  Get yourself introduced, or make contact through e-mail, a phone call, or a personalized letter. Inquire about current or upcoming opportunities. If you learn about a position, ask how 

Talk with your academic department or campus internship coordinator. Ask about internships that remain unfilled for the summer by talking with faculty members and others who coordinate internships on your campus.  Make contact with a recruiter to determine if the organization would consider a Spring graduate for the position. An 

Even if you're not working full time, you can continue to hone your skills and gain experience by volunteering. If you are actively engaged in community service or volunteer work, keep it up! If you aren't, now is the time to get involved.  In addition to contributing your time and talents to a worthy cause, you will meet people who may be good sources of 

The role of an employment agency is to help employers successfully fill open positions by assessing and submitting the best candidates. In addition, the employment agency serves as an advocate for the candidates with whom they work.  An agency recruiter works with you to review your resume, assess how professional and 

marketable you are, determine the level of your interviewing skills, and help you to represent yourself well in an interview. You shouldn't have to pay a fee for this service; work only with employment agencies that charge a fee to employers, not job candidates.  Ask other individuals to recommend reputable employment agencies that 

It may be scary moving to another location; however, the more willing you are to expand your search geographically, the more likely you are to increase the number of opportunities in your field.  Some areas of the country have been hit less hard than others. Subscribe to the Sunday edition of a city's newspaper, or locate the on-line version to learn 

While some industries in the private sector are tightening their belts, others continue to remain stable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, industries such as health care, government, education, and information technology continue to provide strong prospects. Research these industries to determine which positions will allow you to apply your skills and experiences.

as Facebook or MySpace, can provide access to information about organizations that are hiring as more employers create their own accounts on these pages as a way to recruit candidates.  You can meet and be in contact with large numbers of people while determining how engaged you want to be, from just listening to the discussions to 

Your on-line image is just as important as your face-to-face image. When you invite people into your MySpace or Facebook network, you are linking to their networks, the people they have in their networks, and so on.  You never know what employers are checking the sites for information on you as a potential candidate, so professionalism is critical. In 

A little appreciation goes a long way. Send thank-you notes to individuals who help in any way with your job search, from writing a reference to providing a job lead. Thank-you letters sent after an interview are also important.  Don't think that it can make a difference? Here's a real-life example: One of our colleagues reported that an employer was 

Form a job search group with two or three friends to provide emotional support to each other, practice interviewing, share information about events where employers are hiring, and swap job leads.  Work together to build a network of alumni and professional contacts for informational interviewing or networking. Ask group 

Since job hunting can take weeks or months, it is helpful to maintain a record. Keep track of the contact information for individuals in your network and prospective employers. Include deadlines, actions taken, and results.  In addition, keep copies of job descriptions, applications submitted, and correspondence sent. Use a notebook, 

When the economy goes south, some graduates decide to continue their education, thinking that adding another degree will buy some time and make them more marketable in the future.  However, there are some issues to consider before spending a lot of time and expense on graduate school. Be sure your career interest area requires

Take time to talk with faculty members and remind them of your career interest areas. They often know where the academic department's alumni are working or can share information about employers who have opportunities.  In addition, get involved in your alumni association, which is a large group of people that shares one common 

get advice on steps to take, events to attend, or resources to use. Most career centers offer one-on-one assistance with the professional staff. – Learn how to build the skills needed for a successful job search, such as resume preparation, cover letter writing, and interviewing. Visit your career services office or check its website for handouts and information about related