Be realistic in your search

There are a lot of graduates searching for jobs and many of the most popular graduate jobs and schemes will be in high demand. Taking a more realistic approach will help keep you from losing faith if you are not one of the lucky few selected for those dream jobs.

If you're feeling disheartened, try to remember that the vast majority of graduates will not walk out of university straight into their dream job. Most of us spend at least a few years laying the ground work in entry-level positions before we start climbing up the ranks.

So if you don't get the job you want right now, then it's time to start thinking about what jobs might help you get the job you want in the future. It's clichéd but true: everyone has to start somewhere, and a lot of businesses respect the graduate who has paid their dues and proven their commitment.

How to be realistic in your approach:

• Be aware that positions in Graduate Schemes are always in high demand.
• Be modest in your salary expectations. The £20,000 mark is a good aim.
• Be willing to consider alternative routes to the position you want. You may have to spend a few years working jobs that are not your ultimate career goal in order to bolster your CV and gain the right skills to go after the job you really want. Sales and Recruitment are both busy fields offering lots of opportunities to make money and hone skills.
• If you do end up taking a job as a stepping stone, give it your best.
• Consider smaller companies and businesses. Known as SMEs (Small to Medium sized Enterprises) these are companies that are often not as concerned about recruiting the top graduates, but care more about what graduates can bring to the company on a case-by-case basis.
• Reach out to someone who has the kind of job you want and find out how they got there. You'd be surprised at how circuitous the job path can be, and talking to someone who has gone down the path before you will give you insight into how much work it will take you to get there.

Remember, you have the whole of your career ahead of you, and careers can take decades to build - so don't be afraid of the work it will take to get you there.