You did it! Wrote the essays, passed the exams, emerged with a degree. Now suddenly you're in the brutal reality of today's job market. Simply sending out loads of applications, cutting and pasting as you go, is unlikely to be successful. But don't despair - there's plenty you can do to help yourself get your first graduate job.

Ditch your assumptions

The perfect job, first time? Forget it. Think of your first job as a starting point to understanding how organisations work and how you fit within them. No experience is ever wasted.

Challenge yourself by asking:

• What is really important to me in a job? money / status / doing good / leaving time for other interests
• Is this really what I think, or does it come from someone else friends, family etc. ?
• What skills have I gained from jobs I've done already? answering the phone, dealing with customers, using software, organising events, managing a budget, working in, or leading, a team - these are the things employers really care about
• What are my strengths? Think about positive feedback you got from others about how you did a particular task
• How's my motivation? What will I / won't I do to get a job? For example, am I able / willing to do a trial period without pay?