It’s that time of year again, when recently revamped resumes are going to begin flooding the job market from new college graduates. The job search has began for this group of young people who are hardworking and eager to begin their careers.

For many students employment may be an abyss they did not think of until smiling for a photo in their cap and gown. But the day has come; it is time for students to earn their first “real jobs”. With unemployment for college graduates being higher than it has in the past decade though the outlook could seem bleak. But it does not have to be that way!

In recent weeks I have found dozens of articles providing tips on job hunting for recent college graduate. One blog created an excellent top ten job hunting tips list for the recent college graduate.

1. Make sure your resume is posted on the major job boards.

2. Make sure you use relevant keywords, including courses, on your resume in the format employers would search for.

3. Clean up your Facebook profile, especially if you have photos you wouldn’t want future employers seeing.

4. Join LinkedIn and create professional contacts to network effectively.

5. Network at every chance – you never know when a job is around the corner.

6. Utilize Internet job boards

7. While Internet job boards are an excellent tool also utilize the social skills you gained in college by attending career fairs, alumni events and other possible venues for networking.

8. Consider taking courses if you can afford it to make yourself more marketable

9. Set reasonable expectations for yourself – don’t be disappointed if you don’t earn the first (or second) job you apply for. Remember, finding a job as a recent college graduate is going to be harder than it has been in years

10. And finally remember to be optimistic! Having a positive attitude will show at job interviews and could lead to being hired.

Happy job hunting!