Oh, the places you'll go! (Oh, the things you'll screw up!) Dr. Seuss probably didn't have the second credo in mind when he penned his popular (and final) book nearly 20 years ago. But today's college graduates, young and eager and with the whole world in front of them, are prone to some big mistakes.

Fortune reports that as Baby Boomers retire, more jobs are becoming available to America's youth, making it a great time to have a fresh college diploma. According to a new survey from CareerBuilder.com, 79% of 2,500 companies surveyed expect to hire new graduates this year, up from 70% in 2006. Starting pay is also on the rise, which should help with those building student loans. But easily preventable mistakes can prevent a new graduate from earning the job of his or her dreams.

The article seeks advice from Anna Ivey, a consultant who formerly served as dean of admissions for the University of Chicago law school. She says the five common mistakes perpetrated by Generation Y job-seekers are:

1. Allowing parents to dominate the job search. A new graduate should be independent, reflecting maturity and professionalism.

2. Posting racy photos or inappropriate language on MySpace, a blog, or any other publicly accessible web site.

3. Failure to network. Every new grad has a fairly wide network, when he or she considers friends, family, family friends, friends' parents, etc.

4. Poor manners. Those employers who grant a job interview or provide help with an employment search appreciate a thank-you note; they rarely get them from new graduates.

5. Sub-par voice mail greetings. Be professional and not too casual.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.