Now that your mortarboard has been tossed into the air and that scroll secure in your hands, you need to plan on what job you want. It is not easy being a freshie as looking for and securing that first job is an uphill climb. Once done, you have to learn the ropes of being in a new environment, with the right degree of confidence and humility while showing a willingness to learn. Technically, planning for your job should start even before you graduate, even as early as before entering college or university.

So how do you find that right job? First off, you have to analyse your skill sets, what you are willing to do and the kind of work environment you prefer.

What are you good at? Ask other people what they think your strengths are. History will also tell you, so think about your hobbies. Ask questions like- What moves me? What makes my day?

What are you willing to do? If you like multimedia, but hate late nights, then working in a production house will not be a good route for you to take. Remember- what you can do is different from what you are willing to do.

What's the work environment like? Find out what the work environment is like in the industry you are interested in. You should not join a culture which you cannot sync with, or else you'll end up like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole while not be able to move with the culture of the company.

Ideally, you should apply for a job where the above 3 factors overlap.

Do your homework
Investigate and research the job market to know what different jobs are like, especially if you are a first timer. Many graduates don't think about what they want to do and end up being railroaded. A simple thing to do: When you meet people, talk to them and find out what they do. Ask for details.

Be open
When exploring options, don't be narrow minded and only stick to stereotypes. Having a technical degree like mechanical engineering doesn't mean that you have to be an engineer. You could also do sales in an engineering firm as your understanding of products would be valuable. A business or marketing student could work in an insurance company- as their knowledge in the public and what they want may be an added advantage.

However, always remember that you cannot get what you want all the time. Just starting and getting some experience may prove valuable later on. Never be afraid to experiment unless you are very sure on what you want. Most young people don't know what they want to do, and the beauty of youth is that you can try different things. Often, getting the right job you want right away is a matter of the right break at the right time and that doesn't happen to everyone.

Do not put down certain types of jobs that you think is less dignified, or attach superiority notions to certain jobs. In Asia, many youngsters are taught to take the safe route- think lawyer, doctor, engineer or teacher. These notions have to be dismantled, but of course, there are still areas where jobs are limited, such as archeology. But there are more opportunities now than in the past.

When sending in that resume...
A simple thing to do: If the job is not relevant and you are not interested, don't send in your resume. If you don't have core strength in that area, don't apply either.

Pay or passion?
In choosing a career, many are torn between the safe route (where the jobs are), the route paved with gold or the route that leads you to your job of your dreams. When choosing between safe, pay or passion, the experts unanimously vote for passion- all successful people are passionate about their jobs. You can't do well in your job if you don't like it.

Where to find the jobs
Fresh grads are not only competing amongst themselves for jobs, but also against more experienced candidates. Many employers also prefer experienced workers because they don't have to spend the time and the money to train them as these workers can get on with the job right away.

So, where else can you find jobs other than in classifieds? Check out company websites. Attend career talks. Speak to your college career counselor as many companies hire though colleges or universities. Get attached to specific companies that you are interested in during your industrial training- if you perform well, you could be considered for employment. Tip: Don't be "fresh". Experts agree that the job you land in after graduation should not be your first job ever. Don't wait around for a job to appear as very few jobs match the skill sets that you have- you need to be trained. Having experience however, doesn't necessarily mean having a paid job. An IT company may see setting up your own network at home as experience too.

All in all, its definitely not easy being a freshie. Making it to the workforce takes skill, a balancing act and a fair bit of luck. But don't worry too much- it takes some time to get used to but with the right attitude, you will soon be an old pro.