School is officially out for the summer! Before you pack your bags and head to the beach, remember that the summer is the optimal time to think about your career. Sure, you can dedicate your hard-earned free time for some quality R&R, but why not use a bit of your down-time to think about your next career move?

In this economic recession, planning ahead is a particularly smart idea. Betsy Richards, director of career resources at Kaplan University, a school that is famously affiliated with the test-prep company, has some great advice for recent grads. When faced with a job market that offers slim pickings to recent grads—and seasoned job-searchers!—you have to be flexible and set realistic goals.

So, for all you people who are scoping out the job market with some trepidation, check out five of Richards’ tips for landing a job as quickly as possible:

Be Flexible – since the job market is so tight, you should to be willing to relocate or find a job outside your desired field. If you’re looking to change your career, you should also expect a pay cut since you’ll probably be looking for an entry-level position.

Get the word out – sound the alarms! Let people know that you’re looking for a job! Hit up as many people as possible, including family, friends, former professors, whoever. The more people you find, the more likely you are to establish a future job connection. Richards advices job-seekers to “join professional groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. If you follow a company’s Facebook page, you’ll receive postings on job openings. You can also contact companies directly through Twitter”.

Set some goals – if possible, concentrate on snagging a job that would be in line with your general career goals. If you already have a full-time job, examine your long-term goals and ask yourself if you can still see yourself in a similar field in five years. If not, think about what type of job would make you happy!

Gain experience in your field – if you are still in college, the best way to figure out a career plan is to get an internship in your desired field. You will be gaining valuable job experience, making important connections, and getting some great job exposure.

Don’t give up! – this is perhaps the most important piece of advice anybody can give you. Don’t let a tough job market deter you from pursuing your career goals! Richards promises that “this market is going to turn around”, so make sure you’re ready to knock ‘em dead!