What’s the best way to land a job when so many companies are having layoffs and hiring freezes?

Q: My two college age daughters are seeking career advice. One is graduating college with a statistics degree and the other is majoring in computer science. They are looking for first jobs or summer internships at tech companies and worried about the layoffs and hiring freezes. Do you have any guidance to help them navigate this process and land a job?

- Teresa Froomin ex-eBay Senior Recruiter and supportive mom

Dear Teresa,

Thanks for the great question and congrats on raising two amazing daughters who are getting technical degrees. That will serve them well. The tech world needs far more diversity. They will have the wind at their backs!

Of course, the current economic environment is a headwind, but this is not insurmountable. Companies are still hiring, and many are looking for new college graduates. I have the following advice for your daughters:

Knock on doors. I landed my first job after going to see a professor who had heard what IBM was doing in security. I asked him to make an introduction and then I followed up. Be persistent but always be polite.

Consider where you apply. Going to a good company that's growing is more important than landing the ideal job. Look for the place that will offer the biggest opportunity. It’s better to prioritize getting in the right door than finding the perfect seat. Opportunities open once you have a job and are doing it well. Don’t be afraid to take something that’s not your dream job because it could be a route to your dream job.

Continue to take advantage career centers, job fairs, and LinkedIn. Get to know good recruiters. Make sure they know about you. I often suggest hanging out by “the watering holes.” Never wait to be discovered but always put yourself out there and in the best position so you can be easily found.?

Look out for serendipity. Computer security was new when I graduated college, and nobody was a pro at it yet. Keep an eye out for new opportunities and once you land a job continue to seek out things that can challenge you. An opportunity that allows you to learn and grow can be more important in the long run than money or title.

Don’t get discouraged. The job market isn’t perfect, and you might not be starting in the exact role you want. But even though you are new to working, you can still take control of it, own your destiny and achieve what you desire.

Stay committed to being brave and bold. These are challenging economic times. But from the craziest times come the world’s best innovations. Consider that disruptive companies including Southwest Airlines, FedEx, Microsoft, MTV, Trader Joe’s and CNN were born in difficult times. This can be seen as an exciting time to start your career—you have an opportunity to chart a new path. You will set the world where it is going to go.

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