The first job hunt is a beast that many fresh graduates are not prepared to face. You are somehow expected to prove that you are qualified even though you’ve only just come out of education. The job market just doesn’t seem fair to fresh graduates – with some “entry level” positions even including years of working experience under their list of requirements. The road to your first job will almost definitely be full of bumps. It’ll be frustrating when you’re faced with constant rejections and your applications just seem to get ignored. But do not despair, here are a few tips to help deal with the setbacks in your first job hunt.

Expand Your Field of Vision

Don’t place too much hope on a single job application. You’ll only be setting yourself up for disappointment. You might really want to work in a certain industry, or maybe even for a specific company, but it is not guaranteed that you’ll get what you want.

Broaden your field of vision and look at other jobs that interest you. Focus on getting a job first. Even if you don’t end up in your dream company for your first job, you will be able to return and try again with a few years of experience under your belt.

Healthy Venting

It’s natural to feel anger or disappointment when things don’t seem to go your way, particularly so if you have been unemployed for an extended period of time. These emotions left unaddressed can hinder future efforts in your job hunt though.

Look for ways to let off steam – talk to a friend, do some sports, or maybe write your feelings down. Don’t let your resentment bottle up inside of you, because you may just end up exploding uncontrollably. So do all the little things you can do to depressurise.

You should find a healthy and safe outlet for venting though. Don’t engage in any activities that will bring harm to yourself or others. Also try to keep your venting private. Companies are savvier in social media than you might think, so your chances of employment might be affected if they find out that you’ve made a disparaging post online.

Reflect

Failure is not a fruitless result. Even though you might not have succeeded in getting employed, you’ve gained experience. After your first interview, you will have a rough idea of what to expect for future interviews. You’ll naturally be more mentally prepared for interviews that come after.

Take it a step further and start paying closer attention to the finer details – scrutinise your actions and observe your interviewers’ reactions. Find out what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong, then make an effort to make the appropriate changes.

Ask for feedback even after you’ve been rejected. Don’t forsake this golden opportunity to learn, you don’t have much to lose by doing so. Some companies may choose to ignore your requests for feedback, but you’ll be able to gain valuable insights from those who actually respond to you. The important thing is to continually push forward and improve yourself. Turn your failures into ingredients for success.

Don’t Give Up

Hold your head up high and be relentless in your job hunt. Ultimately, you just have to keep trying. A job won’t just appear out of nowhere, you have to actively make an effort to search for one. Each application you send out is a chance for employment, so don’t let any opportunities pass you by and keep on applying