August 6th, 2009 | 
Author: Getting a job out of college right now is challenging. Employers may be getting hundreds or thousands of applicants for a job that used to get much fewer. College grads have an advantage but need to research companies to set themselves apart. Follow the tips below to help land a job during the recession.
Recent college grads face a tough job market in today’s recession. Below we have listed five tips that will be helpful in your job search. With the economy as sluggish as it is this may take awhile so be patient. One place where there are jobs however is the entertainment industry.
1. Be willing to take unpaid work.
College students usually don’t have a mortgage, children and many of the bigger expenses of life yet. Be willing to take extra measures like moving in with parents or friends and taking unpaid jobs for the experience. This could lead to another opportunity but most importantly, gets you experience in your field.
2. Learn to network.
One skill that will serve you best in any job market is your ability to talk to people, develop trust and be likeable. Participate in clubs, associations, groups and events that are available on campus.
3. Read blogs or start one.
One of the quickest ways to become familiar with an industry is to read blogs. Interested in being a chef? Read the top chef blogs. Read the blogs regularly and comment on them to develop relationships.
Some students start a blog of their own focused on the industry they want to work in after graduation. Use it to keep track of research, articles, and events. Just summarize the main points, add a link to the article or information and provide opinion or commentary on the information. Put a link to your blog on your resume. This helps potential employers find you and learn more about you before the interview.
4. Use the Internet.
Use any method at your disposal to see who is hiring. The Internet is a great tool for this.
Use social networking site www.LinkedIn.com to network online. Find people who work at businesses where you hope to work. See if you have any contacts that know someone who works there and ask for an introduction. When you have an interview, spend time on the site researching the people you will meet.
5. Consider alternative industries and careers.
Look at alternative industries that may be hiring for similar skills.
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