Tips for applying to work as a Mechanic...

Im ASE certified in 3 areas and cant even for the life of me get a job at McDonalds.I work at my cousins shop doing auto body and painting but its only by the job and all the body shops are slow so theyre not hiring.My friend that was working at MAACO even had to get laid off because it was slow,im not working full time.He calls me in when there is a car that needs to be fixed .The job market really sucks and my town being a college town,all the students snag all the jobs.
But yeah,applying as an apprentice is a good way to start,work with the master techs.I started out changing oil,good way to get your foot in the door.Do you have your own tools?That helps out alot too.Good luck!