When you’ve just graduated, and you’re about to start looking for work, the world can seem very big and scary all of a sudden. There’s no need to be overwhelmed by it all though. Here are the first things you should do after graduating.

Compile Your CV
The very first thing to do is compile your CV or resume. This will become the single most important document in your life when you are looking for a job. That one piece of paper will be what many different employees judge you on.

For that reason, it needs to be as strong as it possibly can be. It should not only list your academic achievements, but it should also list things that prove you’re prepared to work.

Employers always prefer candidates who can demonstrate past work. This is true even if it doesn’t seem directly relevant to what you’re applying for.

Get Familiar with the Job Market
Preparing for the job market after studying is not a simple task. You will be looking for graduate roles. What the job market is like will depend which industry you want to work in.

There might be some sectors in which there are lots graduate schemes available. Or you might need to take an internship before securing a permanent position.

You need to learn as much as you can about the job market that is specific to you. Once you are armed with the right knowledge, you can start to take the right course of action.

Start Applying for Jobs
Applying for roles is something you will get tired of because you will be applying for a lot of them. But just because the task is repetitive that doesn’t mean you can take a haphazard approach to it.

You should make sure that each and every cover letter and application you complete is specific to the job you’re applying for. Employers can easily sport a cover letter that has been copied and pasted, so don’t be tempted to do that. It could ruin your chances of securing a role.

Don’t Take Rejection Personally
You will probably get a lot of rejections when you first start applying for work. This is something that you will just have to get used to. There’s no sense in getting downbeat or offended by each and every rejection letter.

That can just make the whole process even more difficult for you. When you do fail to secure a job you wanted, you will need to move on and start applying for the next one. There are plenty of other job opportunities out there, so focus on those ones instead.

Take Any Good Opportunity That Comes Your Way
Many graduates make the mistake of passing up on opportunities that come their way when they first graduate. This is a big mistake though.

Many people do this and then later realize that they should have taken the opportunity when it was there. You can’t afford to wait around and waste time when you graduate. Even if an opportunity clashes with your holiday plans, it should take priority.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it contains affiliate links.