You’ve just graduated and now it's time to start life in “real world.” Sigh of relief or onset of panic? As many young graduates know, there can be a lot of build-up and anxiety associated with your very first job search. At Placement Now, our advice to first-time job seekers is: don’t panic! There are lots of job opportunities and plenty of employers are willing to work with recent grads. Take a deep breath and read on.

The first thing to do is consider what type of job would be a good match for you and your experience. While you may have studied biology or history, you also have skills (such as critical thinking, writing, or computer skills) that can be extremely valuable in many lines of work. Don’t pigeonhole yourself. As an administrative professional (our specialty at Placement Now), you could work in a range of fields using your organizational, communication, written, and computer skills. Take the time to consider your options.

Next, take some time to read about the job search process on the Placement Now website. We have tons of tips to help you prepare for your career search, design your resume, ace the interview, and adjust to life in New York City.

If this is your first time out in the job market, you’ll need to set aside time to write or tailor your resume, and to practice interviewing. Get a friend or parent to help you rehearse the answers to common interview questions. When an interviewer asks you to list your three greatest strengths, you’ll be happy you prepared an answer ahead of time.

At the same time, prepare to present yourself as an adult. For example, if you only have a fun or cutesy email address, get a new one to use for the job search process (if possible, get an email address with your name.) Change your voicemail greeting to something more conservative. You will also need a suit or business attire to attend interviews. Even if you want to work in a laid-back software company where everyone wears jeans, you should always look professional when you arrive to interview.

If you aren’t sure where to start, a temporary position can be a great way to start. Temp jobs can be a great way to get your feet wet in a professional field while saving a little money and looking for an apartment (if you don’t have one already).

Finally, think about talking to a recruiter. If you are just getting started, a recruiter can help you organize your skills into a marketable package, match you with possible employers, or set up temp work, if that’s what you are looking for.