In the last YES! Your Human Resources Solution blog, we talked about how recent college graduates can use this summer to polish their professionalism before starting their fall jobs. But what about you recent graduates who haven’t locked down a job just yet? You may not know it, but you already have a full-time job this summer: searching for a job. You report to your laptop every day at 8 a.m., to spend your workdays seeking and preparing for your next great job opportunity. A good job search often takes some time and leads down unexpected avenues, and all those twists and turns can be as frustrating as they are exciting. To get the most from the journey, check out these top tips for making your summer job search sizzle:

• Create an efficient job search. To make the most of your time and effort when searching for your first career-oriented job, you’ll want to cast a wide net, but also an efficient one. So first, figure out the goals of your job search. Do you have unwavering commitments to the industry, job duties, or salary you are willing to accept, or do you have some flexibility? Would you be happy accepting a passable, if not ideal, job, for now? Decide which of your goals are most crucial, then focus on entry-level jobs that meet those goals and that you are qualified to perform. In this economy, it’s common for overqualified workers to be filling lower positions, so you may find that considering a lower-level position in the right industry is a good first step toward your end goals.
• Tailor your résumé to each position. Sending out dozens of résumés is a lot of work in itself, but don’t be tempted to cut corners. After all, your summer job search is your job for now, so you’ll want to do it well! Tailor each and every résumé and cover letter you send out, and never, ever send a résumé without a cover letter! Use the information in the job posting to highlight different skills and achievements in your application materials. Also be sure to conduct some cursory research on each company, as you can often find relevant details to include with your application, even if only the reasons you want to work there. As you continue through the job search process, revise your résumé to address any questions raised by interviewers or recruiters.
• Dress for the job you want. Khakis and a button-up may have landed you that job at the movie theatre when you were 16, but it’s not going to cut it in the big leagues. These days when you score an interview, dress to impress in a polished and professional suit. If you don’t own a suit, don’t be afraid to dip into your savings or graduation gift money to get one. A classic choice in a neutral color is an investment in your future that will last for years to come.
• Have realistic expectations. Look back to our first bullet point up there, about how the most efficient job searches include jobs you are qualified to do, and jobs you are somewhat overqualified to do. Accepting a less desirable job may be a tough pill to swallow, but it’s part of having realistic expectations for your job search. As a recent college graduate, your experience is likely limited and the competition is fierce, so it’s realistic to think your dream job may be outside your reach for now. But it’s only for now. You’ll have the rest of your career to spend working toward that end goal, becoming a consummate professional who is sure to impress when the perfect opportunity presents itself. Plus you never know when that “just for now” job might lead somewhere amazing.

We hope these tips have inspired you to get your summer job search sizzling! So start searching now, and don’t let up until you have a signed offer letter in hand. And no matter what happens along the way, keep your chin up. Finding your first career-oriented job can be daunting, but it’s only the first of many adventures awaiting you in this bright new world.