students to research carefully what they want to do, find the true product that they are and once done, promote themselves full force by distributing the word of their unique capabilities to anyone who will listen and by any means at their disposal.

Students can build good customer relationships by expanding their environmental activity. It is important to become involved in student organizations and associations that focus in on careers (i.e., The American Chemical Society; The IEEE Computer Society, the National Association of Manufacturers, The CPA Societies on Campus).

As the seller of a commodity, students also need to telemarket themselves. It is now time to pick up the phone and call contacts. They can call the switchboard of a company, ask to speak with a hiring manager or ask for the name of someone in the company they have found through research. It is time to talk to friends and family, get involved with campus alumni associations, volunteer for activities both on and off campus where there are plenty of chances to interact with people in the working environment. No seriously minded job searching student should ever go anywhere without a resume. It is also time to collect business cards from anyone you meet, be prepared to follow up on conversations, and send out that prepared resume and personalized cover letter whenever the need or the opportunity arises.

The jobs are still there, but they go fast. In tough times, as Joseph P. Kennedy said, “the tough get going”. I urge all students to get going in their career search now. Times may change again, but for right now it is the turn of students to do the marketing and show the world the great products they are.