Recent college grads are facing a tough labor market with stiff competition for few job openings. They also face another battle: staying fresh and motivated in an unstable economy and bleak outlook.

While the Job Outlook 2011 survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) predicted that on average, employers would hire 13.5% more graduates than in 2010, many Class of 2011 grads are still struggling to find jobs-making it tough for 2012 grads to find employment. 

Job hunting is a long, arduous process that can be full of frustration with little glimmers of hope, but experts say staying positive and having a good attitude is a critical part of landing a job.

Employers can sense and are turned off by a defeated attitude, says Susie Hall, president of Vitamin T. 

 "When you interview with someone and you feel like you're not going to get this job or that there are so many people up for it, they can tell and you're really not going to get that job," she says.