The job search

I've had a number of friends graduate this past spring, and have been surprised at the large number of them who have not succeeded in finding a start to their career.  Many have been able to get some sort of job, but even among my fellow engineering students, the offers are not as plentiful as they once were, and many I know have settled with a job that may be far from their desired field.  This has just solidified my decision to take my time completing my undergraduate degree (especially because my scholarships will go for up to 6 years), but I'd like to take a little time to offer up my tips on job-hunting for anyone out there who's interested:

1.  Be Proactive.  I don't just mean go to career services and ask them for a list of companies who will be coming to the job fair.  Do research.  This is especially true if you have a very specialized major, or have very specific goals in the long-term, but even if you don't, you need to know what you're looking for out there in the real world.  Job fairs are a great resource, and should never be skipped in hopes of finding work else-where (that face-to-face meeting usually works in your favor), but don't forget to do a little digging, and see what other companies may be out there.

2.  Network!  Don't pass up the chance to talk to any company representative, at any time, ever.  If you get the opportunity to meet a rep at a job fair, class, or special event, take advantage of it.  Like I said above, face-time with recruiters is the ideal way to make a good impression.  Be confident, look them in the eye, shake their hand, remember their name, and ask them questions about their company, and who they are looking to hire.  Finally, I won't leave the networking section without giving the suggestion to use the internet.  This is something that is not nearly as personal as a face-to-face meeting, but it can help you in ways that you probably don't realize.  Say for example, you follow GE's "ecomagination" on twitter.com.  If you got the chance to meet a company rep for GE, you could bring up the latest news that was shared on twitter, and probably show that you really do follow the company, and keep up with its latest innovations.

3.  Just keep trying.  This may be the hardest thing for some people, as being rejected time and time again can really start to wear on a person's confidence, but you're not alone in your struggle for that perfect job.  If you follow Ask A Manager (one of my personal favorites), you will see many stories from working professionals who have sent dozens or hundreds of resume's out, and received no offers back.  Finally, along these lines, I don't recommend "taking time off" for a year after college.  Maybe spending a couple months traveling isn't a bad thing, but if I were an employer, I'd be much more impressed by an applicant who spent his time volunteering for a year while looking for a job than just living at home, mooching off his parents as long as he could.

For what it's worth, that is my advice.  Feel free to comment, or add your own suggestions, and best of luck to you all!