-- For digital-search expertise, read "Internet Your Way to a New Job -- How to Really Find a Job Online" by Alison Doyle (HappyAbout.com). Get updates on the author's site, alisondoyle.com.
-- For instruction on "street-level" search -- in which you get out from behind your computer, make phone calls and hit the streets -- take a look at the enormous selection of resources available through the superstore site Impact Publications (impactpublications.com). Further, explore job search sections of local bookstores and libraries, join job clubs and make face-to-face contact with your ever-expanding personal network.
6. Learn to prepare persuasive self-promotional materials, such as strong resumes, cover letters, networking letters, accomplishment sheets and reference letters. Prepare typed thank-you letters that read like direct-mail pieces, not like hand-written "Dear Aunt Chloe" thank-you notes. The recommended book here is my own:
-- "Cover Letters For Dummies, 3rd Edition" (Wiley), which this year won the Ben Franklin best career book award.
7. Gear up for the make-or-break event: the job interview. Everything described above is down the drain if you fail to convince the hiring authority that you are the best pick for the job. The number of resources available on this topic could populate Mars, so Google job interview advice for new graduates (no quotes). Video your practice sessions.
To borrow from a contemporary greeting card, "Today is the first day of your successful job search. If not, there's always tomorrow." Hang in there! A cheerful image attracts more job offers than a smell of desperation.