The topic that most people (including me) dread:

Job hunting!

Here's some questions for you:

Where do you usually look for jobs? Online, referral, sign posted by the store entrance? Maybe not the last one, as I'm hoping to find a career job.

What's the call back rate for your applications? Is it that you get called in for an interview 1 out of 100 applications, or higher? What, do you find, works for increasing your chances? (Besides referrals, having relevant work experience)...

How did you get out of the "need work to get experience, need experience to find work" dead end? (This is really important to me as I'll be graduating in a few years!)

If you're not employed by someone else, how hard is it to start up your own business (which is the same as self-employed, right)? How long did it take you to generate profit?

Are you doing something remotely interesting to you right now, or just to get food in your belly?

For anyone who has ever graduated from any level of schooling (which should be everyone?), how did you cope with the gap between being the "paying customer" at school and the person doing the gruntwork in the workplace? I find that in school, you have a lot more say over things and can give your opinion, but in the workplace...not really.

Do you still read manga after entering the work force? (How I wish you could put it on your resume under the 'Interest' section).

Any help and/or insights would be awesome!

Online and job agencies.
Was looking for a second job for months - just something to pay the bills and what not (Concept artist for games being my "main" job). Got one last week (on my birthday!) through my agency. It's labor work, but it pays a lot.
My callback rate when I was job hunting was pretty good. I'd say ~70-80%
I was overqualified for all of them though, so they became rather depressing.

I haven't read manga ever since I started working, sad to say. I've just been too knackered. The list is starting to pile up and every time I look at it, I think "NOPE.". Anime is okay though...I watch some right before passing out

________________

Everyday I'm tumblin'

Fantastic question. Really annoying as I find myself in that type of situation. From my experience and regrets, the one major advice I have is: get an INTERNSHIP! Yes, graduating with high marks in school is great, but a lot of the time, experience is key. You actually see first-hand what your potential future working environment looks like.

I am unsure as to where you are from, but at my university, there was a CAREER CENTER. The school has an agreement or really good networking with other companies/agencies so your school can set up an opportunity for you.

As for me, I didn't use it (stupid me). I did a cold call. Asked the receptionist/office manager if I may volunteer. You can and will get rejections, and it will be disheartening, but there will be one YES. From there, you can use that as a referral/experience on your resume for other volunteer/internships.

You'll start from the bottom. So, be respectful. Dress conservatively on the first day to ensure that you are a responsible individual. After seeing how people dress on the first day, you can figure out what is acceptable attire. Be observant and definitely try to converse/ask questions when the timing is appropriate. If the company/employers like you (like your enthusiasm... your sunny disposition... your beacon of hope), they may move you up in rank (yes... internships can lead to jobs).

Actually, I don't even know what career you are looking for... but if you do get an experience / internship: follow the rules, work efficiently (let your work do the talking), and engage in friendly conversation with the employees/supervisors/etc.

I tried lots of different ways. Through school (when I was still in school), through friends' & relatives networks, to see which companies are opening, what the openings are about and lately it has been through online headhunters & online posts from companies.

Once you finish school, you're a newly graduate, meaning, you're the bottom feeder. You do the boring job, the clergy job, the hard labor job (of the non-hard-labor company). Then you move up.

hobbitelf518 gave a bunch of good advice when you first start, so I'm not gonna repeat them.

From my experience, your first job can lead to a career or can help you cross out what specific career that you absolutely hate. It doesn't mean anything bad, if you can learn from it. But it's best that you make lots of connections from there, leave a good impression, whether you stay or leave, because those very same people can be your next leads to a brighter future, and the one that you possibly will love.