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After five years of annual increases in employment, hiring of college graduates is expected to fall by 22 percent in 2009 compared to 2008, according to a survey of businesses by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Jill Pletcher, director of career services at 九色视频, says this is the most difficult situation for job seekers in decades.

Pletcher: "This is definitely one of the most difficult times for job seekers, really in decades. Even since 9/11, it tends to be more widespread. It seems to be deeper cuts, not only on a national level, but a global level as well." 

Even in good times, there's plenty of competition for jobs, but according to Pletcher, this year college graduates aren't just competing against each other. 

Pletcher: "One of the challenges in a down economy is that the competition for jobs is extremely keen. So not only is it difficult to find a job, but the people that you are competing with will be other college graduates as well as very experienced people as well."

So what is a job seeker to do? Pletcher explains.

Pletcher: "In terms of finding a job, certainly to look at online resources, but really that's where everyone is looking, so one of the things that we strongly suggest is that you begin talking with people who have the potential power to hire you."

In spite of a tight job market, some graduates will have reason for optimism.

Pletcher: "Some of the fields that still have openings would be some of those in health care, for example. Nursing is one that comes to mind. Also some of the education types of fields, special education. Or maybe it will take, rather than working in a large district, perhaps going to some of the smaller districts where there will be still some openings available."

Pletcher talks about what someone should do if they can't find work. 

Pletcher: "One of the things, if you cannot find work, would be find other ways to spend time. I think a very productive one would be to find some volunteer opportunities for two reasons. One is that it occupies time and is a very significant way to give back to the community. But it's also a way to build skills, so there would be some volunteer opportunities then that could build on some of the things that you might want to hone skills in anyway. And so it serves a dual purpose."

And college graduates probably should be satisfied finding a job even if it's not their dream job.

Pletcher: "I think new grads probably can't afford to be quite as picky as they might have in another economy. So really taking any kind of a job I think can really be beneficial. It shows that you have been employed. I would recommend that people in a job then do a stellar job, so that when they move on to a different position they have a great referral, recommendation kind of a thing in place."

Unemployment among peers of this year's graduates is on the rise. A Chicago-based outplacement firm, Challenger Gray & Christmas Inc., said that the unemployment rate among those age 20 to 24 rose to 13.9 percent in March, up from 9.2 percent a year ago, and that unemployment among 25- to 29-year-olds reached 10.9 percent in January, the highest rate since 1983.

Challenger Gray & Christmas advised new graduates looking to crack the tightened job market to adopt an aggressive approach, including advertising their job search among former bosses, internship supervisors and teachers; doggedly pursuing face-to-face interviews with potential employers by visiting job sites and waiting as long as it takes for a meeting; and using Web research skills and networking connections such as Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Joe Kleinsasser for 九色视频.