Stay close to career services on campus. They are in the best position to inform you of changes in hiring, job postings, etc. They can also provide advice on how to tailor your resume, broaden your job search, and any other opportunities to meet potential employers that you may not have already explored.

Keep your options open. Many students are advised, and wisely so, to narrow their job search whenever possible, based on their preferences and career goals. But in a tight economy, it may help to broaden your scope. Consider a greater number of companies, industries, or geographic locations if your current list is not yielding opportunities.

Volunteer. If you've always thought about doing some extended volunteer work, now might be the time. Programs like Teach For America or the Peace Corps provide valuable experience and build critical skills that employers typically seek. It also provides time for the job market to improve.

Obtain more education/certification. If an advanced degree or technical certification is valued in your field of choice, this may be the time to pursue either ... or both. Staying in school for a Masters degree (or additional bachelors) typically has another advantage: it allows you to take advantage of the university’s career services department and have access to jobs posted by companies on campus for one more year ... not a bad thing.

Tap into networks. In a flourishing economy, many students have to look no further than career services on campus to find open positions. When market conditions are not as robust, it may require some additional legwork. Tap into various networks: student groups, alumni, friends, neighbors - to see if there are any opportunities available. It is also helpful to scan Internet job boards and company websites; this will prove especially helpful with companies that are still hiring but aren't physically going to campus.