Get Hired or Die Tryin’

“Good luck finding a job right now!” “Bad financial times are ahead.” “The economy isn’t going up any time soon!”

These are only some sayings that soon to-be graduating college students hear. With that kind of encouragement, who even wants to try to find a job?

However, more companies are hiring and creating plans for more jobs. According to ABC news, the unemployment rate has continued to drop ever since it reached 10% in 2010 during the height of the financial crisis. It is now at 8.2%, and although it is still relatively high, it is the lowest it has been in the last two years.

According to a survey done by the National Association of Colleges and Employer, 19% more college graduates were hired in 2011 than in 2010, and it will only continue to rise.

Many post-grad students may find the transition into an entry-level job to be a difficult one once they realize that their time is no longer their own and they are at the bottom of the corporate totem pole. They are expecting to find that dream job and stroll into the office wearing fancy high heels or an expensive suit. This is normally not the case.

When looking for a job, there are two schools of thought. Most counselors will say that companies want to know the person behind the resume and will encourage you to use your charm and body language to communicate to the recruiters that there is no one else like you.

However, many college graduates are connecting to their jobs through the internet. Sites like LinkedIn and Zumeo can help students make connections with companies as well as people they know.

Whether you take the old-fashioned way or have some technology on your side, or both, one thing remains the same: persistency. Create an amazing resume and apply to more jobs than you would ever think of applying to. After an interview, follow up with whomever interviewed you and express your strong interest in the company. The more persistent you are, the more likely you are to get a job.

Volunteer and do as many internships as you can. Employers are interested to know what you did outside of the classroom during your years in college.

Use any connections you may know: finding a job is a job in itself. Go to the “Career Days” at school, talk to the Career Center, and keep your resume updated. Remember, even in an unemployment rate of 10%, there is still an employment rate of 90%. So don’t feel discouraged or despondent by depressing naysayers. Work hard and it will pay off.