Steve and I recently spoke at a college senior business class. During a breakout session we asked a group of students what they had done to start their job search. Granted, this was a small group of maybe 15 students, but they had done nothing!

Students were concentrating on their studies and end of the year exams and events. Some were reacting to the constant bad news regarding the lack of entry level jobs. They wanted to wait out the recession. You’ve been in school just about your entire life and yes, you will be working far into the future. But a good start allows you more career options. There will still be time for long vacations, sabbaticals, time off between jobs and other time off opportunities.

Since it is May, and graduation season is now upon us remember;

• Even if you start your job search now, it takes time to get hired. The interview process may consist of two or three in-person or phone interviews. Because of scheduling issues (including summer vacations) these interviews may be spread over a week or two.

• Part of the offer/acceptance discussion is setting a starting date. You can probably get up to four weeks off before starting the position, if that is important to you.

• There are a significant percentage of new grads “taking the summer” off. This means less competition for you now!

• Getting a stream of income sooner rather than later allows you to start paying off student loans and saving to move out on your own. For each month you are unemployed you are loosing at approximately $2,500.

Remember the old saying “The early bird catches the worm?” I am not sure how they came to this definition but the phrase has been defined as “Success comes to those who prepare well and put in effort.” I would probably say “get out there first and beat your competition”. It really is important to start your job search sooner rather than later.