Unemployed College Grads: Stay Green and Save Money With These Tips

We're coming up on graduation season and the economy is still pretty much in the tank. All the news of lay-offs isn't exactly encouraging if you're just finishing up your last college finals and taking the stage to receive your diploma. You might find that there's going to be a lull between when you hang that framed degree on the wall and when you land your first "real" job. Don't worry, we have tips to help you sail through the lean months of job hunting and resume writing.

Job Searches

Meet-Up.com for young professionals

This can help you in your professional life and your social life. Meet-Up group events are usually free or require a nominal fee (as in $1 or $2) and can be invaluable for satisfying your craving for getting out of the house and having some fun, as well as networking with people to find out about job opportunities.

Read up on job search tips

There's a wealth of information around these parts about finding jobs. You just have to study up (you should be good at that!), implement, and soon you'll be seeing offers streaming in. Check out the listing of green job searches at Green Eyes On: Green Jobs as well as our How to Go Green: Job Searches. And of course, there's always a quiz: Know How to Find a Green Job?

Don't outgrow your Facebook habit. In fact, expand it!

Online social networking is, no kidding, a great way to find a job. Join more networks, like WiserEarth, which can connect you to some amazing people, organizations and businesses that just might want to employ you! Don't underestimate the power of responsibly using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other great tools.

Food

Get out of the supermarkets and into the farmer's markets.

You'll find healthier and less expensive food by shopping the farmer's market once a week and learning to cook a few meals. Ramen noodles and frozen pizza might have sufficed in college, but you'll quickly see cooking your own dishes from what's gleaned at a local produce stall will better serve your needs, both physically and financially.

Cook. No, seriously. Cook.

One pot meals are a perfect way to save money while feeding yourself well. Your parents will be proud that you managed to ditch fast food and microwave meals for the wonders of a crock pot or dutch oven.

Living

Don't wave goodbye to your roommates just yet

It's not only greener to share living space with a few people, it's also a lot cheaper. Renting a room versus your own apartment adds up to hundreds of dollars in savings. Plus, you're sharing utilities and other resources with someone who is hopefully as eco-conscious as you. Plus, you never know when a roommate might connect you with people who can land you your ideal green job.

Get familiar with free resources

If you didn't learn about freebie resources in college, it's time to get familiar now. There are lots of ways to save money and keep items in the consumer stream. If you're in need of interview clothes, furniture or housewares, or even a ride to a job interview, there are well established organizations to lend a hand like Freecycle, Craigslist, and many more. Trading, bartering and borrowing are great green habits to get into now.

Decide what bills you can ditch, and minimize the rest.

Do you really need the cable TV? What about that bulked up cell phone plan? Check out the different monthly expenses you have and see where you can trim the fat. Then look at the size of your other bills and see where you can slim down your use. Is the electricity a little high? Try turning the lights and computer off more often. Energy efficiency and water conservation help you in more ways than just boosting your green ego!

Volunteer. A lot.

Instead of spending all of your time job hunting, take a chunk of your day and donate your energies to a good cause, especially one that is related to your preferred career field. This will help connect you to people that can assist in your job hunt, give you loads of experience that can boost your resume, keep you busy and energetic, and of course help out your community.