Q: So I’ll be graduating college next semester. What do you recommend I should be doing now to prepare for the job market?

A: I think you want to get as much real experience as you can. Whether it’s internships, part time jobs–anything where you can have accomplishments, real world experience and are meeting as many people as you can. I don’t mean networking in a cheesy way, like using them.  I just mean meeting other people and offering to help them, and someday they might offer to help you. Also use your college’s career services office. So many college students I know don’t take advantage of that. They can help you make sure your resume is excellent.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake that grads make when they’re job hunting?

A: The biggest mistake is doing nothing, becoming paralyzed by the bad economy. The reality is you have to get out there and do stuff, even if you don’t get your dream job right away. Take a retail job, temp, volunteer, do something just to get out there. Don’t stay at home playing video games. It sounds obvious, but a lot of people think it’s better not to take a mediocre job or temp — but it’s better to be out there. If you’re a barista at Starbucks, then be the best barista at Starbucks. That’s better than sitting at home waiting for the perfect job. A lot of people disagree with that mentality, but I feel pretty strongly about it.

Read the full interview on the Youth Radio website…