CARLSBAD, Calif., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- College graduates need to be prepared to face fierce competition as they enter the workforce, but they have an advantage for the first time in years, reports CareerCast.com, a national job-search portal.

"A key consideration for companies starting to rebuild their staffs is how to recruit great talent cost-effectively," says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast.com. "College graduates have a big advantage over other job seekers given their low starting salaries and great potential to grow with the company. It's been several years since we've seen companies so interested in talking with new grads."

If you're a new graduate, CareerCast.com offers tips for successful job hunting:

1. Check out your college or university Career Services office. Their advice is free and targeted to your market.
2. Join alma mater alumni groups. Networking is still the best way to find a new job.
3. Research job boards that include lots of entry-level jobs.
4. Watch what you post online. Recruiters will search social media to investigate your background.
5. Expand your search radius to include companies where you would like to live and work.
6. Boost your skill set by taking extra courses. Learning should be a life-long goal.
7. Don't underestimate the value of a good cover letter and resume.
8. Create a 'personal branding statement' to stand out from other inexperienced college grads.
9. Prepare and rehearse before each interview. Don't assume you can "wing it" just because you're smart.
10. Dress for success. Looking good never hurts.
11. Be personable and nice to everyone you meet during your interview.
12. Follow up with thank you notes to everyone you met.

But most importantly, don't get discouraged. Job hunting is one of the toughest 'jobs' you'll ever have. Stay positive and keep your network active. Referrals are one of the best ways to find a job.

To access the complete Graduate Guide to Job Hunting, visit   www.careercast.com/jobs/content/job-hunting-college-grad-survival-guide.

About CareerCast.com

CareerCast.com, created by Adicio, is a job search portal that offers extensive local, niche and national job listings from across North America, job-hunting, career-management and HR-focused editorial content, videos and blogs, and provides recruiters with the ability to post jobs directly to more than 800 niche career sites. CareerCast.com also compiles the Jobs Rated Report (www.jobsrated.com), where 200 jobs across North America are ranked based on detailed analysis of specific careers factors.

SOURCE CareerCast.com

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