One frequently quoted saying is: “It’s not the challenges in life that define you, it’s how you deal with them.” In times of contracting job markets this is a saying worth remembering – one that’s even worth pinning to your bedroom wall.  Graduate careers are often hard to get started but even now, there are numerous graduate positions, graduate placement and recruitment opportunities.

Exactly how you deal with your work-related challenges will differ depending on the situation. However, in all situations it is true to say that you remain in charge of your own choices. Although circumstances may impact upon you, just how you respond to these circumstances is always up to you.

There are some techniques that can help you respond in a positive manner. One of these is to foster a strong awareness of your current situation. Workers who are most likely to remain in tact after a retrenchment, for instance, are those who have taken time to cue into the current performance of their company and the mood of their fellow workers.

The more you can understand the workings of your workplace, the more you will be able to put all changes into perspective, and keep your footing in times of upheaval.

Another good technique is to develop an ability to identify your emotional responses to stressful situations – and to turn them on their heads if necessary. If, for example, your first response to losing out on a job opening is anger, hanging onto this emotion is unlikely to help you move on. Yet, the sooner you can identify your response as anger, the sooner you can set this emotion aside in favour of, perhaps, acceptance,  or even curiosity as to how you may have improved your pitch.

Thirdly, there is enormous power in being able to view your setbacks as opportunities for growth, rather than as losses. These growth opportunities are a major part of the learning curve in graduate employment.  Although you will no doubt feel a personal sting at the time, always try and maintain a broad perspective and a belief that every step moves you forward – even if the location to which you are shifting may not be immediately apparent.