The reality of successful job search is straightforward and simple: to be successful, you need to sit on the other side of the desk. Take on the perspective of the hiring manager. The simple key to success is to market your product (yourself) according to the needs of your intended market (potential employers in your field).
Yet very few college students and graduates actually do this. Most job searches are conducted from a selfish "here I am" and "this is what I want" perspective. However, the reality is that most employers do not really care about what you want until you are able to demonstrate that you can provide what they need. They care about what you can do for them. It is only after you have selflessly shown what you can do for them that they will begin to take note of what they can do for you in return. By being selfless in communicating the value you are willing to provide to the employer, you will begin to find the paths to serving your own needs.
As you consider the job search process from your perspective, it is also important to understand the hiring process from an employer perspective. Following is the basic hiring flow for most employers:
While the hiring process is different from your job search process, you need to understand where you fit into the employer's process. So start at the beginning to build a firm career foundation.