College seniors are graduating in one of the toughest job markets in history. Employers are looking to cut college hiring 22% this year, according to research done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Fortunately, not all the news is bad. Career experts say there are still opportunities in this market, especially for those who start the job search early and keep up the momentum.

“The worst mistake to make right now is to let yourself become paralyzed because of the recession”, said Generation Y career counselor Lindsay Pollack. “The more actions you take to find a job, the better your results will be,” Pollack said.  

However, landing the perfect position is that much harder when there are more people applying for the same jobs. It may even mean taking a job that isn’t necessarily your ideal.

“You need to make a list of the things you want ideally in a job and define which ones you are willing to compromise on and be ok with that", said certified career coach Hallie Crawford.

Matt Smith, a senior at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, is hoping to land a job in his chosen field of sports management, but is willing to embrace any opportunity that comes his way.

"I'm just looking at developing my skills. I want to get out in the world and get some experience. Any job that might relate to sports in the future would be great,” Smith said.

Many students turn to networking with family and friends when they begin the job search. However, all the connections in the world might not be much help when there are fewer jobs to go around.

“I started building a network after Thanksgiving, letting everyone know that I'm looking for a job. I haven’t had any leads. I am still optimistic but everyone wants extensive experience,” said Ashley Barker, a senior business administration and marketing major at Elmira College in Elmira, N.Y.

While personal relationships may help land that coveted spot, job seekers looking to reach more people faster should take advantage of the options online, including social networking sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn.

"Cast a wider net", said Adeola Ogunwole, director of marketing and PR for Collegegrad.com. "There are so many services available and going online is helping a lot of people."

Additional research done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers indicates that on-campus recruiting efforts are on the decline this year, though employers are still hiring.

“Most employers have taken a lot of their efforts online because it’s very cost efficient," Ogunwole added.

Taking advantage of alumni connections is also an important tool. Alumni are often eager to help those at their alma mater, and can often provide valuable insight and tips that might not be readily available elsewhere.

 “Alumni provide sort of an insider’s guide to the process” said Alan Wong, founder of REACH, an organization that connects recent college alumni with graduating students who hope to work in the alumni’s field.

In a supercompetitive job market, it’s very important to follow up with anyone that may be able to help you land a job, but remember to keep things professional.

“Stay on the radar screens of everyone you know and everyone you meet by regularly reminding them of your availability. Just be careful to remain polite and relevant.You want to persist and stand out, not pester and stalk!” Pollack said.