A recent Gallup poll indicated that only 43.6 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 had a full-time job in June 2013. That’s right — more than half of young Americans are un- or underemployed. This further proves how hard it is for young professionals to not only enter the workforce, but to find a stable gig that keeps them happy, engaged and productive.

Consider this: If you’ve been on the job search for months or years on end after college, is it time to explore alternative forms of employment? Below is a list of options that may not have been on your radar before, but should definitely be a part of your job search plan moving forward:

As a job seeker, you probably apply to coveted organizations, try to hit up as many networking events as possible, and nurture your online reputation quite a bit. However, have you ever sat down and asked yourself a very important question: What do I want out of an employer?

It’s something you may always ponder in the grand scheme of things, but never really hammer out the details. Understanding what you want out of an employer can help you to pinpoint the right organizations, identify the best roles, and assist with your overall professional happiness.

Christopher Columbus is famous for a lot of things, from discovering new countries to pushing the limits of his explorations. Though you may not realize it, you can learn a lot from the life of Columbus, especially when it comes to your job search.

In honor of Columbus Day, let’s explore some job search lessons inspired by the life of one of the greatest explorers in history:

Ben Affleck: One of Hollywood’s hottest actors, winner of multiple Academy Awards, and jack of many trades. He’s living the life, one hit at a time. He has earnings of $25 million as of June 2013. He’s a family man with three kids in tow. What could he possibly know about rejection, especially when it comes to his career? Quite a lot, apparently.

Affleck was recently chosen to star as the new Batman, a highly coveted role that has been played by stars like Christian Bale, Michael Keaton, and George Clooney. Though this was a win for Affleck, fans of the popular superhero were not impressed. Tidal waves of tweets were sent out, #Batfleck became the hashtag of the hour, and everyone seemed to have an opinion — a negative one, that is. People were overwhelmingly rejecting this decision, and it takes some thick skin to deal with that — even if you’re a millionaire movie star.

A recent Wall Street Journal article illustrated seven deadly mistakes many job seekers make in their search. That got me thinking — what are some additional blunders you could make that not only make you look bad, but also take you further away from the job of your dreams?

Here are seven more job search blunders that could cost you the position:

The life of a young professional often comes with some Catch-22’s: How can you do what you love when it may not pay the bills?

In college, you may have had plans to start your own business, be an artist, or travel around the world. But if you’re like most college grads, you may have an outstanding student loan balance equivalent to, on average, about 60 percent of annual income. Where’s the cash going to come from?

This is not to say you should give up on your dream job. Although you may be strapped for cash, there are some ways to maintain debt and other responsibilities while still pursuing your interests:

Connections, connections, connections.

Sometimes, it really is about who you know, who they know, and what a connection can do for you in your job search. Studies show referrals are one of the most popular ways employers source candidates. So, if you know someone influential, it’s probably a good idea to see what they may be able to do for you.

Here’s the catch: You don’t want to seem like you’re just using them for your gain. Professional connections should be a two-way, mutually beneficial relationship. You should be helping your connections on a recurring basis so you’re on their mind constantly. In other words, you have to be super sleuth about using your connections in your job search. You have to be proactive so you’re the first person they think of when an opportunity arises.

So, you’ve been searching for a job for months. Maybe you’ve applied via job boards or you’ve visited companies in the flesh. Whatever methods you use, your efforts often fall flat. Even worse — not only are the jobs you’re finding less than stellar, the ones you do apply for go unanswered. What’s the deal?

I’ll let you in on a little secret: There is such a thing as the hidden job market and if you aren’t tapping into it, you’re missing out. The Wall Street Journal even reports that about 80 percent of jobs are never advertised. This means there is, in fact, a secret place these jobs are hiding. And it’s up to you to find them.

Here are some ways to do it:

The job search is brutal. It’s tiresome. It’s akin to a roller coaster: Sometimes up, sometimes down, but almost always a bit rocky. Plus, when you’re faced with brick walls over and over, it can really start to wear on your self-esteem.

Case in point: A recent CareerBuilder survey indicated that 75 percent of workers who applied to jobs using various resources in the last year never heard back from the employer. Although you may believe you’re right for the job or have the correct qualifications, you and many other job seekers are failing to nab those open positions.

Maybe it’s time to strip down your job search and take it back to the beginning — conduct a job search makeover to create a new you. After all, if your current job search tactics aren’t working, it may be time to switch it up.

Here’s how to conduct a professional makeover: