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As a Russian student studying in France, I can say that it’s 50/50 between networking and career placement services when you are fresh out of college.
Hopefully, my college offers workshops on every aspect of finding a job, it helps a lot. But while creating a nice-looking resumé and writing a grand motivation letter may seem easy to do, networking (i.e. talking to real people) seems a challenge for many.
Tip (and excuse a 21 y.o. giving a tip about job-hunting): never think that people are grumpy and mean, talk to them in person, write them, call them. Most of the times, when you contact a person to ask for an internship or just some advice on constructing your big “projet professionnel”, he or she will be glad to recall his/hers student years and pleased that he/she may be an inspiration to someone.
Resumé: networking is a priority, there are no asocial people.

Practice interviewing every chance you get, then practice some more.

Best job-hunting tip: use job hunting websites to find the perfect career that suits you. Many of these job hunting sites have advanced search options to tailor your search to match your interests and skills.

Job hunting tip: Roll play the interview with a friend. Have him/her ask questions to help keep your thoughts clear and ready to go for your interviews. Ask for feedback from your roll-play partner on your voice, posture, wording, or anything that can help in your interview.

one can tweak their profiles in terms of Job prospects in social networking websites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter etc. Share Knowledge and post ‘views’ about your related field in such websites. This help employers to find their potential candidate.

My best tip is to customize. Those in charge of hiring at different jobs are looking for different qualities, and often they’ll even go out and state those qualities on their website. Make sure your resume lines up with them – if they’re looking for engineering expertise and leadership quality, don’t write two sides of paper about your C++ skills, but show your more rounded activities as well. You can save time by creating multiple copies of your resume to aim at different types of recruiter.

Then write a cover letter that basically goes through the bullet points on the website and explains concisely (in one or two sentences) how you line up with it, ideally adding something new to the resume. Plenty of people won’t read this, but for those who do, it pays off.

Finally, know your audience. If you’re applying to a small internet start-up (such as the one I run), you’ll likely be screened by someone fairly high up in the company, simply because it’s small. Generic, cookie-cutter, formulaic and impersonal? You’re not even going to get a reply. HR departments and recruiters are more generous here. :)

I love indeed.com for searching, any jobs I have actually landed I found through word of mouth. There is no replacement for having a good network!

Don’t quit. Stay positive, Maintain a regular daily schedule. It’s been 7 months for me.

The best advice? Be yourself during the interview. You don’t want to be acting at your job for the next several years. Unless your job is acting, of course.

The best tip I have: define your career goals, write them down, do the things needed to achieve the right level of skill for the career path you choose, get the necessary certificates, note down your achievements in given field and THEN you’re ready for an interview to get your dream job.

Social Networking! Whenever, wherever!… the people around you bring you the success easier than you thought.. :)

I will say it again: Networking!

Come up with a list of companies you’re interested in and start asking everyone (mom, brother, friends, neighbors, the person next to you on the train) if they know someone who works there. Linked in is great to research this…but then actually talk to the person too.

create a blog and share your experiences, that way people in your niche will notice you and you’ll get a lot of opportunities.

That’s my bag!

Create a searchable, online resume with VisualCV. You can include references, examples of your work, links to your social sites, and more.

Be sure to ask questions during your interview.

One example would be:

a) Are there any individual attributes that lead (or will lead) to job success in this role?

b) Conversely, are there any individual attributes that lead (or will lead) to job failure?

It’s all about who you know. Use any and all contacts that you have to get your foot into the door and then use the opportunity to impress your future employer.

Most people are more than willing to help out a friend in need and will do what they can, be it edit a cover letter, set up an informational interview, or pass along a resume to a colleague. Take advantage of this, but don’t forget to write a nice thank you note to the people that help you out!

Always have access to your resume/CV, whether it’s a hard copy or electronic…you never know when you might need it!

Job hunting tip:

Use RememberTheMilk to keep track of when you applied, with what company and what information you sent over. Then, to follow up with companies (very important), you can refer back to RememberTheMilk.

Also, another tip with RTM is to use it to list all the job search sites or companies you want to work for. This ensures that you don’t miss out on the job boards in your daily search.

bring a pen to the interview commiserate with the kind of job you are applying for. applying at a fast food restaurant? a ball point pen will do. applying to be a bank officer? bring a nice fountain pen.

invariably in an interview going well there will be something to sign, an application to fill out, something… when you pop out your own pen you show you are prepared. if the pen has style (something better than a ball point) then you are memorable. when the pen has class and the job requires it then you show you “get it.” bring a pen. it really helps.

I keep a folder with all of the positions I’ve applied for. When I get a call from a potential employer, I grab my folder and referf to that specific position while I am speaking with them. I also take notes.
If I get an interview, I bring that folder with me and take notes during the interview as to the duties, the benefits and the hours/salary.
That way if I am fielding several offers at once I don’t get them all confused in my head!

Job hunting tip:

Preperation, preperation, preperation. Do your homework on the company who is interviewing you so you can relate any questions to their current business.

I use Google Spreadsheet to keep track of the jobs for which I’ve sent in resumes. There are a few pieces of info, e.g. sent date, company name, recruiter/HR contact, and job title, that I need to keep track of for every job. Those are the columns in my spreadsheet. Then I use additional columns to the right if there is more info on the job.

Being in college right now, I would say the best way to find a job is to network. Its all about who you know!!

Broaden your horizons. Take stock of your existing skills to see how they can be repackaged to gain entry into a different career path.

When attending networking events it may not always be possible or appropriate to carry your resume. I’ve put a mini resume together on a business card. On the front is my name, contact info, and objectives. On the back is a brief career history and key skills.

Tip: Study your potential employer’s web site. Google the company name to find any information that may be available about them that is not highlighted on their site. Use the information you gather to determine why you are a good — or terrific! — fit for the position you are seeking within the company. When you tailor your resume and cover letter, consider the path you’ve traveled that led you to be qualified and interested in the job. Write some bulleted points to refresh your memory regarding your thought process before the interview. Everyone has a story to tell. Tell yours.

Best Job Hunting Tip: Know what you want from the job before you get there so you can negotiate terms. Others will set the rules for you if you don’t set them for yourself.

one must be ready to answer interview questions with concrete examples. you must explain the employer what your skills are and how you’ve demonstrated them in the past.

Also, your appearance and soft skills matter a lot.
You must have a problem solving attitude because mostly this is what people are hired to do.

Best tip: Don’t settle! The job hunt is especially tough right now, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for something you don’t look forward to doing every day.

Stay positive and ‘keep looking’ (internet, netwroking etc) like you are searching for a precious gem in a huge pile of sand.. You know you want it.. don’t give up :)

Siri

The best thing that has worked for me from the connections/network of people I’ve known. You’d be surprised how people you’ve connected with can surprise when they think of you for a Job that they know of.

Other than that I’ve scan through job requirements on a regular basis to see where my skills fit in and if I need to apply….these things have worked.

Have a thorough knowledge on the background of the company you are applying to. Know the full name of the company, their history, the officers, and the exact job you are applying for. Knowing the company’s goals or “passion” will help your being seen as someone who will make a mark in the company…someone that will stand out from the rest of the applicant pool.

I know this will sound crazy, but: keep good karma. Do good things and good things will come to you. This follows the philosophy: what is good luck? Are people really lucky? … I’m not sure, but this has helped me. Also, perception management is key. … You asked.

Role play the worst questions you can be asked and think of at least 2 amazing responses. Also when interviewing for the job of your dreams never take no for an answer. Tell them you love this company and would even take a janitorial position. Got me a regional manger job with no high school and no experience. If you do get the job don’t forget to bust your ass and never make excuses.

Practice! Practice! Practice! It never hurts to practice your interview question answers, even if you have no intention of job hunting. And ask friends for interview questions they’ve used or been asked!

My best job-hunting tip is to create a spreadsheet to track positions and applications – including information like the name of the position and company, date applied, date response received, etc.

During interview, relax, take a deep breath and show a smile. Be yourself and get a conversation going with the interviewee to show that you are an approachable person. Also, make sure you have at least 3 questions to ask about the company you are interviewing for. The interview process is not all about you, but it’s also how much you know the company. Cheers :)

My best job hunting tip is to not only consult the internet in search of jobs, but talk to friends and family members. With all the connections you have, you’re bound to find new opportunities!

Best job hunting tip: Never give up!

if you know what is hunting, work life to be successful is a good ground

Having done everything right, as above, there is one step that makes the difference between getting an interview, if is a resume-based search, of ending up in the round file. DO NOT trust Spell Check! Having hired hundreds of people, and screened thousands of resumes, I can almost guarantee that errors of grammar and spelling will immediately remove you from consideration. When so many qualified people seek the same position, Recruiters/hiring managers tend not to bother with “Illiterates.” They don’t have to. So read, re-read, and get outside readers to check on your resume with “fresh eyes.” Don’t let a stupid slip obscure who you are and what you have to offer.

My best career advice is to not job hunt, continually network. It’s those connections that will help you find job openings suited to your interests and abilities down the lines.

When you get the interview, if it is not an area you are super familiar with, drive there the day before. Familiarize yourself with the door/building which to enter. Also have a secondary route planned out in case of a traffic jam.

In the interview, know the answer to the “ugly” questions, such as “Tell me what you could improve upon about yourself?” Giving a smart, honest answer will tell the interviewer that you have a good sense of humility.

During the hunt, use your local library as a resource. Most offer classes and many subscribe to publications/job databases that you would normally have to pay for.

Best job hunting tip: Figure out who’s in your network and find the person with the power to hire. That might be your friend or your friend’s friend or colleague. Network with that person and you’ll have a much better chance of landing a job!

Be yourself and dont try to be someone you’re not. If you dont know the answer to a question then say.

Don’t be afraid to apply for a job you feel underqualified for. Jobseekers often feel insecure about their abilities, yet those around them are continually impressed. Overqualified jobseekers often miss out on jobs because employers may feel that they expect a higher salary.

Also, evaluate the amount of risk you are willing to take. Is a temporary job with potential to gain new skills more valuable than your montonous, secure job that you hate? Is taking a pay cut worth gaining a job you will love?

1st step – Get a copy of ‘Knock ‘em Dead’ by Martin Yate and redo resume’.

Keep positive and never give up. If you land an interview, do your home work before you attend!

Network! Become indispensable in your current job and people notice. Networking doesn’t always mean happy hour with business cards. It can mean becoming memorable in your job and connecting with future employers.

Create a mind map of your 90 day plan of what you’ll do in the job when you get hired. The visual map of information, along with the strong vision and intention you’ll show for the job will have a positive impression on the hiring manager.

When interviewing, be yourself: the most outgoing, friendly, conversational version of yourself.

Too many people try to mold their personalities to the position they’re applying for. Usually, they aren’t fooling anyone. Hiring agents can tell when in applicant is trying to bs their way into a job. And do you really want to keep up the act if you DO fool them and ARE hired?

On the other hand, if your personal style is quiet, shy, or unfriendly, fake it. You’re unlikely to be hired if you can’t carry on a conversation with the person(s) interviewing you.

Keep good track of the companies you’ve applied to and the resumes/cover letters for each one. I use a simple spreadsheet to do this.

The best tips of all is just keep hunting, it for your own sake.