If you (or your children or grandchildren) are just graduating and looking for your first job, your timing is actually quite good. It may not appear this way because of recent jobless numbers, but looking ahead, the future is bright! In the next seven years, it is estimated that 70 million boomers will retire with only 50 million workers coming in to fill those slots.

The situation is even more dramatic with the Federal Government, so you may want to consider working for Uncle Sam. According to the Office of Personnel Management, about one-third of full-time employees will retire in the next five years, and the turnover could be even higher in the ranks of federal executives and supervisors.

Here's more good news: Employers surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) say they plan to hire 9.5% more graduates from the class of 2012 than they did from the class of 2011.

Plus, the anticipated average salary for grads this year will be $51,000, up a sizable 6% from last year's average of $48,000.

Alright!

Chances are there's a good job out there for you or a recent grad that you know. But no matter how bright the job market may be, great jobs don't come looking for you. You need to go find them.

You know us. We tell it to you straight, so prepare yourself now. This will be work, but it will be worth it. Starting your career with the right job lays a foundation that will reap benefits for you the rest of your life.

Dolan Straight Talk Tip: The average first job search lasts four months, which clearly has financial implications. So right now, as you're just graduating, think about how you can earn money while you're looking for your career job. You need to pay your expenses if you live away from home, or contribute if you live at home.

Yes, we're talking about waiting tables, slinging burgers, waxing floors, working in a call center…whatever you need to do. We all did it at one time or another! If you're like most graduates, you already have student loans to pay off, and you don't want the time you're looking for your first "real" job to drive you even deeper into debt.

Now let's get to five smart moves you can make right away to get you the job you want..

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