Job Prospects for College Grads

MYFOXNY.COM - The class of 2010 is facing a job market with a nearly 10 percent unemployment rate -- a daunting prospect for those of us who have years of work experience, but it can be practically paralyzing for the newly graduated.

Lindsey Pollak is a Generation Y career consultant, blogger, and author of "Getting from College to Career."

• LINDSEY'S WEB SITE

TIPS FOR GRADUATING SENIORS TO LAND A JOB

TAKE ACTION EVERY DAY
Because of the bad economy and tight job market, a lot of students are paralyzed. They need to get started and job hunt consistently to land a position right now.

CAST A WIDE NET
You may not get your first choice job, so you have to think creatively about all the kinds of companies, positions, job search strategies, etc. you can try. Look farther and wider than you've looked before.

BUILD YOUR ONLINE BRAND
Many employers are saving time and money by researching job candidates online. Delete any inappropriate content a recruiter might find (e.g., Facebook party photos) and set up a LinkedIn profile to show your professionalism.

DON'T MAKE AVOIDABLE MISTAKES
There is no room for error in this job market; you have to be perfect. Triple-check the spelling and grammar of your resume. Be extra early for an interview. Always send a thank you note to anyone who helps you. Little actions can make a big difference.

NETWORK WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS
There's a myth that networking is about meeting strangers. Start with the people you know and enlist the help of your friends, family and other close contacts in your job search. Make sure they know what you're looking for and ask for their advice and connections to people they know who work in the field you want to enter.

NACE's 2010 Student Survey shows that nearly one-quarter (24.4 percent) of 2010 graduates who applied for a job actually have one waiting for them after graduation. In comparison, just 19.7 percent of 2009 graduates who applied for a job had one at this time last year.

• SURVEY REPORT