I am a recent graduate with my MBA and a concentration in Human Resource Management but I can't get a job for anything. Does anyone have any advice or tips? Location is not an issue because I will relocate if I need to.

Can you be a bit more specific? For example, do you have any work experience? If so, in what? Did you move straight to postgrad from your first degree? What level of job are you seeking? Graduate intern? Trainee management? These kind of things will affect your chances of employment.

It's totally random that you may be starting your career at such an inauspicious time. I don't need to tell you that increasing numbers of graduates and decreasing opportunities make this an employers' market. Worse still, if you haven't any significant work experience then you are also competing with less academically qualified (but work experienced) older candidates. The bottom line is that work experience is currently more valuable for employers than academic qualifications above a threshold. Very few opportunities pitch that threshold at Masters level so your MBA is not much of an asset without significant work experience in the current market. It will. however, give you a competitive advantage later in your career when you have the specialist work experience to support it.

Notwithstanding all of that, there are things you can do to improve your chances. For example, you could take any job which will pay enough to keep you afloat but also offer your services free to organisations of interest part-time. The important thing is to get your foot in the door as being a known quantity (and on-the-spot) will provide a huge advantage for any paid opportunities which may arise. The bigger the organisation, the more chance that an opportunity will present. Also, don't rule out the public sector as they still have a mandate to recruit specialists and may be more open to the idea of providing desk space and support to an enthusiastic someone keen to work for free.

Consider starting your own business. Doesn't matter what field - anything with low start-up costs which has the ability to show-case your skills. Making a profit would be good but the aim is to give yourself an edge in the employment market. This kind of initiative will improve your skills and make you stand out from the crowd at worst. At best, you may find that self-employment works for you. Again, you may have to do this part-time whilst working at any old job to pay the bills. It will be hard work but, that's the point, it signals to any prospective employer exactly that.

It may take you a year or more to find a good job but your chances will be hugely improved if you do something like the above. There will be plenty of highly-qualified candidates who will be claiming benefits long-term over the next, few years. There's nothing more likely to damage your career prospects and your self-esteem.

Wishing you lots of luck.

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