Have you just graduated, or need to kick start your career? Here are some tips on how to leap into your career with both feet, instead of tentatively testing the water with one toe.

Be Proactive - You have to be proactive about your job search. Use all options open to you: college or university career services, online or print job listings, and members of your network of contacts.

Added Value - Never assume there is a job out there with your name on it. Employers care about their bottom line and how you can help them.

Targeted CV - Make sure you have the best resume you can have with a clear objective mentioned on each one you send out. Remember to change this objective to fit the job you are applying for.

Background Research - Prepare for job interviews so you can present yourself well. Sounding un-knowledgeable about your field is a bad start to any interview, and lacking knowledge about your prospective employer is just plain rude.

Multiple Strategies - It's all too easy to only use low success rate strategies like replying to classified ads or sending out 'cold call' resumes. Remember to supplement this approach with more sophisticated strategies.

Communicate - Talk to people who work in your chosen field.

Network - Join a local professional group whose members work in your chosen field.

Personal Contacts - Talk to family, friends, and acquaintances especially well-connected acquaintances like clergy, attorneys, and those already within your chosen career path.

Work - Consider doing an internship, unpaid work experience or a co-op.

Consider Temp Work - By temping, you can gain additional experience and get to know people working in various companies. When temping be flexible, most employers value people who can help them out. Say yes to everything and you may end up saying yes to a job offer.

Positive Outlook - When you're down and not feeling good about yourself, it tends to come across in your demeanour and the way you carry and present yourself to employers. If employers see that you don't feel good about yourself, why should they feel good enough about you to employ you. Try exercising, getting together with friends, reading, writing in a journal, or going fishing to maintain healthy self-esteem and life balance.

Job Search Links - Our own list of employment related web links.

Networking - How to network effectively and get a better job.

Job Search - Over 350 websites offering job search functions, compiled by the Open Directory Project.