For the first time in a long time, there’s good news: the unemployment rate for newly minted college graduates is hovering just around 7 percent, compared to 9.1 percent last year. A whopping 87 percent of employers said in a recent poll that they will hire more grads this year than last, and almost as many say they have hired at least 25 new grads in the past six months.

So, summer grads and upcoming December grads can rest a little easier than in the past. Buuuuut that doesn’t mean that you can coast here; after all, we all know some May grads (and maybe even some 2011ers) who are still on the hunt for their first job. So don’t get cocky – be smart! Peckman Search Partners has some things to help you stand out from the crowd.

  • Resumes matter. Spend a few bucks to have it professionally done, even if there is not a lot of work history. You show your age – and not in a good way! – with a poorly written resume, dated format, grammatical or spelling errors or one that doesn’t fully enumerate what makes you a great prospect.
  • All thank-you notes aren’t created equal. If you are told after an interview that a decision will be made the same day, go ahead and send an e-mail thanks. Otherwise, put an actual pen to actual paper, make it short and sweet, and get it in the snail mail pronto! You will set yourself apart from all those who don’t bother.
  • Study like it’s exam week! You wouldn’t go into a huge test unprepared, so why would you go into an interview that way? Your degree, grades, internships or experience might get you in the door, but a lackluster interview performance can render them meaningless. Aim to strike a balance between genuineness and professionalism; practice in front of the mirror if you don’t have a friend to help.
  • Think you don’t know anybody important? Think again! Regardless of your chosen field, learning to network is vital. Chances are, someone you know knows someone – or knows someone who knows someone who knows someone – who has a job lead for you. If you are polite and professional when reaching out to someone for an introduction, you aren’t imposing. Someday, you will pay it forward, right?
  • The right balance of humility and confidence will get you a while lot further than cockiness or tentativeness ever will. Be enthusiastic and genuine, but don’t try to BS about your experience; hiring managers know you’re a new grad and will be looking at your personality and fit, not an unreasonable amount of practical experience.

Finally, what I think is most important is that you be open to new ideas. Just because your degree is in a certain niche, or you have always dreamed of a particular job, does not mean that there is nothing else you can do or that can help get you started in your field. These days, adaptability and flexibility are as important to have as great recs and relevant experience.

Last but not least, stay positive! You may be sick of hearing that, but so what? It’s good advice, and that’s what I’m here for.