4 New Job Search Rules for the Class of 2010

As a recent grad, chances are you're well prepared for the tough job search that lies ahead. You've probably spent the last few months polishing your résumé, maximizing the resources at your college career center and creating a LinkedIn profile.   While each of those is an important and crucial step in landing your first job, today's tough economy means 2010 graduates must put extra effort into their job search, in order to thrive in an overpopulated applicant pool.

Think of the following tips as the newest chapter in your job search rulebook.

Stand out 
According to the most recent study from the U.S. Department of Labor, there are 5.4 applicants for every job opening.  With stats like that, you can bet potential employers are up to their eyeballs in résumés.  So how will your résumé catch the eye of a recruiter amidst a pile of hundreds?  Make it easily scan-able for important qualifications by bolding any skills, honors, and experience that support your candidacy.  Are you applying for a graphic design position and you're a Photoshop whiz?  Bold it.

The strong text should be saved only for your most important qualifications, though, so limit bold items to no more than five.  Also, make sure to keep a "plain-text" résumé on hand, in case an application process calls for an unformatted résumé.

Create a website 
"Googling" applicants is a standard hiring practice at most companies these days, and it's important to make sure your Internet reputation supports your goal of getting a job.  One of the best ways to show you're serious about your career is to create your own website.  Don't worry; it's not as difficult as it sounds.

Start off by purchasing your domain name (i.e. YourName.com) on a site like GoDaddy.com, which can be done for as little as $10.  You can then create the look of your website, by using easy and free design templates from platforms like Wordpress.com.   Finally, upload your résumé, recommendation letters, examples of work you have done, and the contact information of your references (get their permission first!), to create a neat little package for potential employers. You can even add links to your site on your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles.

Use your social networks 
LinkedIn is not only a great way to let people know you're a qualified professional looking for a job; it is also an amazing research tool.  Say you're applying to a communications position at Corporation X, for example, and you don't know to whom to address your cover letter.  A quick search of Corporation X on LinkedIn should bring up pages of names and titles of people who work there, including those in the HR department.  If you're lucky, you may even find their LinkedIn page contains their e-mail address, and you can send your résumé directly to the hiring source.

Get out there 
While it may be tempting to hole up in your bedroom and spend all day hunting jobs online, nothing can replace a face-to-face connection.  The Internet should not be the end-all, be-all in your job search.  Sometimes, the best jobs aren't even advertised online.

You never know where you may get a great job lead, whether it's at a family barbecue, a party with friends, or even sitting next to someone on the bus.  Talk to people every chance you get, and let them know you are looking for a job.  Even if they may not have a lead for you right away, they may stumble upon something and remember you later.  A multi-faceted job search approach, combining both in person and online networking will be most successful.

No matter what your job search approach, though, remember to have a positive outlook.  The job market may be a tough nut to crack, but it's not impossible.  Think of looking for your first job as a chance to build a strong foundation for your career, by expanding your professional network, learning new skills and honing your work ethic.