New college graduates who have yet to land a job can increase their chances of finding work through work, according to JobWeb, a career development and job-search site of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

JobWeb cites experts, including consultants and staffing professionals, who suggest that unemployed grads take temporary jobs to apply and develop their skills, get experience, and keep their resumes current--all things that will serve them well when the job market improves.

The experts also offer the following recommendations to job-seeking graduates:

• Investigate an internship. It’s a valuable way to get experience and get your foot in the door. Many employers look for their next hires among their interns.
• Don’t let money stand in your way. Evaluate job offers based on more than the salary an employer offers. Ask yourself: Is there a potential opportunity here? Is there room for growth? Can I learn something with the company? Can I find a mentor?
• Plug into the professional network. Ask everyone you know for any contacts they have in a particular field or industry. You can also make contacts by getting involved in political campaigns, doing volunteer work, or joining civic and social groups.
• Attend open business meetings. Find profession-specific groups, business forums, and meetings. For the cost of admission (or a luncheon), you will rub elbows with experienced people in your field who may be able to look at your resume or point you in the direction of a job.
• Don’t forget your alma mater. There are "safety nets" on campus--the career center and alumni association. Try to get a listing of alumni in your department and see where they ended up. They may be able to provide you with job leads, including positions that are available within their organizations.