Faced with a tough job market, many recent grads are realizing that they need more than a diploma to be successful in the “real world”.

Encountering a dismal job market, many recent grads have been forced to put their job searches on hold. Students lament that having a bachelor’s degree is a step in the right direction, but to really stand out among your competitors, you might need to go the extra step to make your resume really stand out to a prospective employer.

The numbers certainly look bleak. Only 20 percent of this year’s college graduates have jobs, compared from two years ago when 51 percent had secured a job following graduation. This new crop of recent graduates faces an additional challenge—they are competing against unemployed individuals who have already spent years in the workforce AND last year’s college grads who haven’t been able to get a job.

So, instead of frantically attempting to rush into an increasingly desolate job market, many college grads are taking an alternative route to their future career path. If you’re about to enter the working world, here are some ways that college graduates are riding out the recession:

• Keep your options open – be flexible in your job searching. Many students don’t find their dream job right after graduation, so you might have to consider other positions. If you land a job in your preferred industry, but does not necessarily meet your specific career goals, you’re already one step ahead of the pack!

• Look to the government – President Obama has a lot of plans in the works to create new jobs. The federal government is doing hiring, so look for careers in homeland security, court reporting, or paralegal work.

• Take more courses – the recession is a perfect time to get your master’s or doctorate degree, so start looking at graduate programs!

• Get an internship – in order to gain more work experience, college counselors encourage their students to get an internship. It’s a great way to learn new skills, build a network of professionals, and get letters of recommendation.

• Take advantage of career counseling – many colleges offer career services to their students. Schools are increasing their efforts to help their graduates find a job by offering resume building workshops, interviewing tips, and prospective job leads.

Remember, the recession will not last forever! When it ends, make sure you’re prepared to put your best foot forward in the job market.